SA Statistics Council says it welcomes criticism of 2022 census data

South African Statistics Council chairperson Dr Nompumelelo Mbele on Friday welcomed any constructive criticism of the 2022 Population Census statistics and methodology, saying the council viewed the criticisms as areas that need attention, to find any validity in them.

Statistics South Africa (SA) received criticism for a 31% undercount of the population in the 2022 census.

“Our door on this matter, like with any of the other statistical products of Stats SA, remains open. In fact, this enhances all our processes and adds to the rigour of the data produced,” Mbele said.

The various points of criticism received so far had been interrogated and thoroughly discussed with an open mind, she said; however, she cautioned against criticism that is not based on the data.

Mbele pointed out that, in an effort to be transparent, Stats SA released the 10% sample of the census data to the public.

She assured South Africans and stakeholders that the process followed by Stats SA in conducting the population census, including adjusting for the undercount, has produced credible data, despite a tight budget.

“As part of this pronouncement, Council also indicated that there were certain data aspects that should not be released before further work was done, including mortality statistics, income data, and others,” Mbele stated.

In October 2023 Stats SA released the initial results of the Population Census 2022, with the Council saying the Population Census of 2022 was the first digital census in South Africa, which came with unique data management opportunities and required tight strategic planning, implementation and monitoring.

The Council noted that Covid-19 profoundly impacted the planning and execution of the Census, which led to changes in the enumeration methods, caused delays and challenges, and influenced data collection efforts.

“Census 2022 also took place after hard-fought local elections, unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, and major flooding, all of which created an extremely challenging terrain in which to carry out the Census,” Mbele added.