Two-thirds of metro dwellers are aware of the upcoming Census

Sixty-nine percent of metro adults are aware of the upcoming Census that begins next week.  However, just over a quarter of metro adults - 28% - said that they are not aware of the census exercise.   Only 3% gave a "don't know" response.  These figures were released today by TNS South Africa, South Africa's leading marketing and social insights company.  They arise a study of 2 000 adults in South Africa's seven major metropolitan areas conducted between 25 August and 12 September.  The study has a margin of error of less than 2½% for the overall result. 

Differences by race and gender are small:

I have heard about the census that is happening this year - 69%

• Blacks - 68%
• Whites - 75%
• Coloureds - 68%
• Indians/Asians - 61%
•  Males - 71%; females - 67%

The least aware are Indian females, where 39% are not aware of the Census.  There are no differences in response by age

Geographically, however, there are some larger differences; the table below shows the varying levels of awareness of the Census:

Gauteng as a whole (except for the Vaal Triangle/South Rand area) shows the best levels of awareness along with Bloemfontein and East London whilst Cape Town, Durban and, particularly, Port Elizabeth, show lower levels of awareness.

Of concern, too, is that people living in cluster houses show lower levels of awareness (55%) - these housing types are traditionally more difficult to access  - as do the unemployed (63%).

Our take out

Whilst just over two-thirds of people n early September were aware of Census 2011, there were over a quarter of people in metro areas still unaware of this very important exercise.  StatsSA has undertaken an awareness campaign in recent weeks to address the awareness issue as it is vital that everyone participate in order to establish where services, infrastructure and job creation opportunities are needed the most.  The Census also enables us to measure our progress towards various important goals and is used not only by Government but by many organisations in civil society as well  as in business, commerce and investment.

Technical note

The study was conducted amongst 2 000 adults (1260 blacks, 385 whites, 240 coloureds and 115 Indians/Asians) in the seven major metropolitan areas: it has a margin of error of under 2.5% for the results found for the total sample.  The study used probability sampling techniques and is fully representative of the major metropolitan areas.  The study was conducted by TNS South Africa as part of their ongoing research into current social and political issues and was funded by TNS. 

Statement issued by Neil Higgs, Senior Advisor and Head of innovation, TNS South Africa, October 3 2011

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