JOHANNESBURG - Stats SA on Monday defended the quality of its data collection methods used to determine the unemployment rate in South Africa.
Some economists previously expressed concern with the information provided as response rates of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey declined to just over 44% in the fourth quarter.
The QLFS is a household-based sample survey, which records the labour market activities of individuals between the ages of 15 and 64, with the results used to measure the rate of unemployment. Stats SA said when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and they had to change their data collection methods from face-to-face interviews to telephonic, they were aware of the bias that could be introduced in their data and acted to prevent it.
Chief Director for Labour Statistics, Malerato Mosiane, said: “We have methodologies that are used to adjust the estimates for the bias and when we compare the estimates that we have from the households that have telephones and the full sample… there isn’t a difference because the adjustment factors are close to one. This indicates that what we are observing in the households that have telephones only is exactly what we would have if we were going to a full sample.
However, the entity admitted that it is also concerned about the low response rates that increased to over 60% in the first quarter of this year when Stats SA returned to face-to-face surveys.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Agri SA boss Jaco Minnaar: SA farmers quitting because of policy uncertaintyJaco Minnaar, the president of Agri SA, says farmers are quitting agriculture because of policy uncertainty around property rights, land ownership and expropriation without compensation.
Read more »
Shocking crime stats: Cele must resign over poor policing | The CitizenIn the first three months of this year, 67 people a day were murdered and 120 were raped.
Read more »
JUSTICE MALALA | If Cyril can’t answer crucial questions, SA will be back in its 2010s nightmareIf Fraser’s allegations force Ramaphosa out of office, his faction will collapse and the state capture brigade will return
Read more »
Hunger in SA is becoming a major health crisis, with 27% of children stuntedThe number of malnourished overweight children has also grown -- to more than twice the global figure
Read more »
Despite challenges, SA is still on the radar of global investorsSA faces challenges including its power supply crisis and sluggish economic growth, but it is still on the radar of global investors, according to Barclays.
Read more »
Hope of recovery for young SA cricketer assaulted in EnglandWhile young South African cricketer Mondli Khumalo’s health condition has vastly improved, it’s still not clear if the talented bowler will be able to play sport again.
Read more »