Urgent intervention needed at StatsSA to ensure success for next Census
28 August 2024
The DA has written to Ministers Maropane Ramakgopa and Khumbudzo Ntshavheni for detailed explanations on the causes of the data exclusions in Census 2022. We will request a breakdown of the actions being taken to rectify the exlusions as well as an update on preparations for the next Census. Furthermore, we will request StatsSA to provide evidence of their claim that budget cuts undermined Census 2022's effectiveness.
Last month, Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke defended criticisms by notable academics on the reliability of Census 2022.
Last week, Maluleke finally admitted to the unreliability of the data, announcing that StatsSA would not be releasing crucial data on -
- Income variable, changes in income across demographics;
- Labour module, granular details on our labour market, as the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) is based on sample sizes;
- Demography, changes to each demographic’s rates of mortality and fertility;
- Household data on “unconventional households”, such as collective living quarters and agricultural households; as well as
- Granular data on homeless persons and persons in institutions (hospitals, boarding facilities).
The division of revenue and resources from National Treasury to our respective spheres of government is distorted if based on inaccurate Census. The census estimates a population of over 62 million, but based on other studies, our population is more likely a million smaller.
StatsSA’s adjustment for the 31% undercount may have been too high. Populations of certain rural areas have been over-estimated; the population of Johnannesburg may well have been under-estimated.
In an interview last week, Maluleke introduced claims that Census 2022’s effectiveness was also undermined by budget cuts from National Treasury to the sum of R3 billion.
While Departments across Government have indeed faced cuts due to low revenue and increasing national debt, was Stats SA’s budget cut significant enough to undermine the planning and organisation of Census of 2022, and is there evidence of Maluleke making a case for more funds to Treasury and the Presidency?
The DA will actively seek answers and clarity on the above.
Issued by Katherine Christie, DA Deputy Spokesperson on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, 28 August 2024
