(3 minutes read)
- South Africa launched its population census to collect data that will help the government’s policy formulation and planning
- This exercise is done once in a decade by the statistical agency to get to know the demographic profile and other vital data to be used for policy formulation
- The census was initially scheduled for October last year.
South Africa launched its population census to collect data that will help the government’s policy formulation and planning. This exercise is done once in a decade by the statistical agency to get to know the demographic profile and other vital data to be used for policy formulation.
Enumerators are counting literally every citizen in the country and in the process, they will be collating the numbers of the homeless, people in hospitals, prisons and communal living quarters known as hostels, among other places. A count of the people departing the country was also taken by enumerators at the airports and land borders. Incidentally, this is the fourth population count conducted in post-apartheid South Africa. The census was initially scheduled for October last year. But was postponed due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Online feedback from the citizens is allowed as an option.
In 2016, South Africa’s population stood at 55.7 million. The census, among other things, will also collate information on mortality and fertility rates, and migration trends. People migrate to South Africa from other countries particularly from Africa to find employment and pursue other occupations. South Africa is the most industrialized country in the continent.
During the last census in 2011, the migrant population was counted at more than 2,2 million. The census also will gather information on education and income levels, and food security.
