South African National Census of 2001
Encyclopedia
The South African National Census of 2001 is the most recent national census
of South Africa
.
The census was undertaken by Statistics South Africa
and undertook to enumerate every person present in South Africa on the census night, 9–10 October 2001. The enumeration primarily took place from 10 to 30 October. South Africa's first official census since the fall of Apartheid was held in October 1996.
The census determined the country's population as 44.8 million.
In total over 80,000 EAs were defined using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques. Factors considered when defining EAs included:
consists of primarily four parts: data capture, post-data capture, coding
and product generation.
Over 1000 temporary staff members were employed by Statistics South Africa
to assist in the process. These employees worked in shifts, 7 days a week for almost 18 months. In total, 10 249 185 questionnaires were received which resulted in the generation of over 117 million images once scanned.
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
The census was undertaken by Statistics South Africa
Statistics South Africa
Statistics South Africa is the national statistical service of South Africa, with the goal of producing timely, accurate, and official statistics in order to advance economic growth, development, and democracy. To this end, Statistics South Africa produces official demographic, economic, and...
and undertook to enumerate every person present in South Africa on the census night, 9–10 October 2001. The enumeration primarily took place from 10 to 30 October. South Africa's first official census since the fall of Apartheid was held in October 1996.
The census determined the country's population as 44.8 million.
Pre-enumeration
During this phase, South Africa was divided into thousands of small, manageable "pieces" called Enumeration Areas (EAs). The intention was that each EA could be handled by a single enumerator to allow every household in the country to be visited within the time frames provided.In total over 80,000 EAs were defined using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques. Factors considered when defining EAs included:
- Administrative and social boundaries
- Geographic size and shape
- Population density
- Mobility considerations (e.g. transport and communication infrastructure)
Data Processing
As the 2001 Census was paper-based, an enormous amount of data needed to be converted to a digital format. The task of data processingData processing
Computer data processing is any process that a computer program does to enter data and summarise, analyse or otherwise convert data into usable information. The process may be automated and run on a computer. It involves recording, analysing, sorting, summarising, calculating, disseminating and...
consists of primarily four parts: data capture, post-data capture, coding
Coding (social sciences)
Coding refers to an analytical process in which data, in both quantitative form or qualitative are categorised to facilitate analysis....
and product generation.
Over 1000 temporary staff members were employed by Statistics South Africa
Statistics South Africa
Statistics South Africa is the national statistical service of South Africa, with the goal of producing timely, accurate, and official statistics in order to advance economic growth, development, and democracy. To this end, Statistics South Africa produces official demographic, economic, and...
to assist in the process. These employees worked in shifts, 7 days a week for almost 18 months. In total, 10 249 185 questionnaires were received which resulted in the generation of over 117 million images once scanned.