The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities.

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities.

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities.

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities.

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities.

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities.

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities.

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities.

Abstract

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities.

Geographic coverage

The scope of the General Household Survey 2008 was national coverage.

Analysis unit

The units of anaylsis for the General Household Survey 2008 are individuals and households.

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents) of households in the nine provinces of South Africa and residents in workers' hostels. The survey does not cover collective living quarters such as students' hostels, old age homes, hospitals, prisons and military barracks.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sample design for the GHS 2008 was based on a master sample (MS) that was originally designed for the Quarterly Labour Force Surveys (QLFS) and was used for the first time for the GHS in 2008. This MS is shared by the (QLFS), General Household Survey (GHS), Living Conditions Survey (LCS), Domestic Tourism Survey and the Income and Expenditure Surveys (IES).

The MS used a two-stage, stratified design with probability-proportional-to-size (PPS) sampling of PSUs from within strata, and systematic sampling of dwelling units (DUs) from the sampled primary sampling units (PSUs). A self-weighting design at provincial level was used and MS stratification was divided into two levels. Primary stratification was defined by metropolitan and non-metropolitan geographic area type. During secondary stratification, the Census 2001 data were summarised at PSU level. The following variables were used for secondary stratification; household size, education, occupancy status, sex, industry and income. Census enumeration areas (EAs) as delineated for Census 2001 formed the basis of the PSUs. The following additional rules were used:

• Where possible, PSU sizes were kept between 100 and 500 dwelling units (DUs); • EAs with fewer than 25 DUs were excluded; • EAs with between 26 and 99 DUs were pooled to form larger PSUs and the criteria used was same settlement type; • Virtual splits were applied to large PSUs: 500 to 999 split into two; 1 000 to 1 499 split into three; and 1 500 plus split into four PSUs; and • Informal PSUs were segmented.

A Randomised Probability Proportional to Size (RPPS) systematic sample of PSUs was drawn in each stratum, with the measure of size being the number of households in the PSU. Altogether approximately 3 080 PSUs were selected. In each selected PSU a systematic sample of dwelling units was drawn. The number of DUs selected per PSU varies from PSU to PSU .and depends on the Inverse Sampling Ratios (ISR) of each PSU

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The GHS 2008 questionnaire collected data on: Household characteristics: Dwelling type, home ownership, access to water and sanitation facilities, access to services, transport, household assets, land ownership, agricultural production Individuals' characteristics: demographic characteristics, relationship to household head, marital status, language, education, employment, income, health, disability, access to social services, mortality. Women's characteristics: fertility

Response rate

24 293 (77,5% with out-of-scope and 90,15% without out-of-scope) of the 31 346 interviews were successfully completed. It was not possible to complete interviews in 8,5% of the sampled dwelling units owing to reasons such as refusals or absenteeism. An additional 14,0% of all interviews were not conducted for various reasons such as the sampled dwelling units had become vacant or had changed status (e.g. they were used as shops/small businesses at the time of the enumeration, but were originally listed as dwelling units).

Sampling error estimates

Estimation and use of standard error The published results of the General Household Survey are based on representative probability samples drawn from the South African population, as discussed in the section on sample design. Consequently, all estimates are subject to sampling variability. This means that the sample estimates may differ from the population figures that would have been produced if the entire South African population had been included in the survey. The measure usually used to indicate the probable difference between a sample estimate and the corresponding population figure is the standard error (SE), which measures the extent to which an estimate might have varied by chance because only a sample of the population was included. There are two major factors which influence the value of a standard error. The first factor is the sample size. Generally speaking, the larger the sample size, the more precise the estimate and the smaller the standard error. Consequently, in a national household survey such as the GHS, one expects more precise estimates at the national level than at the provincial level due to the larger sample size involved. The second factor is the variability between households of the parameter of the population being estimated, for example, the number of unemployed persons in the household.

Abstract

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities.

Geographic coverage

The scope of the General Household Survey 2009 was national coverage.

Analysis unit

The units of anaylsis for the General Household Survey 2009 are individuals and households.

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents) of households in the nine provinces of South Africa and residents in workers' hostels. The survey does not cover collective living quarters such as students' hostels, old age homes, hospitals, prisons and military barracks.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sample design for the GHS 2009 was based on a master sample (MS) that was originally designed for the QLFS and was used for the first time for the GHS in 2008. This master sample is shared by the Quarterly Labour Force Surveys (QLFS), General Household Survey (GHS), Living Conditions Survey (LCS), Domestic Tourism Survey and the Income and Expenditure Surveys (IES).

The master sample used a two-stage, stratified design with probability–proportional-to-size (PPS) sampling of PSUs from within strata, and systematic sampling of dwelling units (DUs) from the sampled primary sampling units (PSUs). A self-weighting design at provincial level was used and MS stratification was divided into two levels. Primary stratification was defined by metropolitan and non-metropolitan geographic area type. During secondary stratification, the Census 2001 data were summarised at PSU level. The following variables were used for secondary stratification; household size, education, occupancy status, gender, industry and income.

Census enumeration areas (EAs) as delineated for Census 2001 formed the basis of the PSUs. The following additional rules were used: • Where possible, PSU sizes were kept between 100 and 500 dwelling units (DUs); • EAs with fewer than 25 DUs were excluded; • EAs with between 26 and 99 DUs were pooled to form larger PSUs and the criteria used was same settlement type; • Virtual splits were applied to large PSUs: 500 to 999 split into two; 1 000 to 1 499 split into three; and 1 500 plus split into four PSUs; and • Informal PSUs were segmented.

A Randomised Probability Proportional to Size (RPPS) systematic sample of PSUs was drawn in each stratum, with the measure of size being the number of households in the PSU. Altogether approximately 3 080 PSUs were selected. In each selected PSU a systematic sample of dwelling units was drawn. The number of DUs selected per PSU varies from PSU to PSU and depends on the Inverse Sampling Ratios (ISR) of each PSU.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The GHS 2009 questionnaire collected data on: Household characteristics: Dwelling type, home ownership, access to water and sanitation facilities, access to services, transport, household assets, land ownership, agricultural production Individuals' characteristics: demographic characteristics, relationship to household head, marital status, language, education, employment, income, health, disability, access to social services, mortality. Women's characteristics: fertility

Sampling error estimates

Estimation and use of standard error The published results of the General Household Survey are based on representative probability samples drawn from the South African population, as discussed in the section on sample design. Consequently, all estimates are subject to sampling variability. This means that the sample estimates may differ from the population figures that would have been produced if the entire South African population had been included in the survey. The measure usually used to indicate the probable difference between a sample estimate and the corresponding population figure is the standard error (SE), which measures the extent to which an estimate might have varied by chance because only a sample of the population was included. There are two major factors which influence the value of a standard error. The first factor is the sample size. Generally speaking, the larger the sample size, the more precise the estimate and the smaller the standard error. Consequently, in a national household survey such as the GHS, one expects more precise estimates at the national level than at the provincial level due to the larger sample size involved. The second factor is the variability between households of the parameter of the population being estimated, for example, the number of unemployed persons in the household.

Abstract

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities.

Geographic coverage

The scope of the General Household Survey 2004 was national coverage.

Analysis unit

The units of anaylsis for the General Household Survey 2004 are individuals and households.

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents) of households in the nine provinces of South Africa and residents in workers' hostels. The survey does not cover collective living quarters such as students' hostels, old age homes, hospitals, prisons and military barracks.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

For the GHS 2004 a multi-stage stratified sample was drawn, using probability proportional to size principles.

The sample was drawn from the master sample, which Statistics South Africa uses to draw samples for its regular household surveys. The master sample is drawn from the database of enumeration areas (EAs) established during the demarcation phase of Census 1996. As part of the master sample, small EAs consisting of fewer than 100 households are combined with adjacent EAs to form primary sampling units (PSUs) of at least 100 households, to allow for repeated sampling of dwelling units within each PSU. The sampling procedure for the master sample involves explicit stratification by province and within each province, by urban and non-urban areas. Within each stratum, the sample was allocated disproportionately. A PPS sample of PSUs was drawn in each stratum, with the measure of size being the number of households in the PSU. Altogether approximately 3 000 PSUs were selected. In each selected PSU a systematic sample of ten dwelling units was drawn, thus, resulting in approximately 30 000 dwelling units. All households in the sampled dwelling units were enumerated.

The master sample is divided into five independent clusters. In order to avoid respondent fatigue (the LFS is a rotating panel survey which is conducted twice yearly), the GHS sample uses a different cluster from the Labour Force Survey clusters.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The GHS 2004 questionnaire collected data on: Household characteristics: Dwelling type, home ownership, access to water and sanitation facilities, access to services, transport, household assets, land ownership, agricultural production Individuals' characteristics: demographic characteristics, relationship to household head, marital status, language, education, employment, income, health, disability, access to social services, mortality. Women's characteristics: fertility

Response rate

83,9% of the expected 31 400 interviews were successfully completed. It was not possible to complete interviews in 9,7% of the sampled dwelling units. An additional 6,3% of all interviews were not conducted for various reasons such as the sampled dwelling units had become vacant or had changed status (e.g. they were used as shops/small businesses at the time of the enumeration but were originally listed as dwelling units).

Sampling error estimates

Estimation and use of standard error The published results of the General Household Survey are based on representative probability samples drawn from the South African population, as discussed in the section on sample design. Consequently, all estimates are subject to sampling variability. This means that the sample estimates may differ from the population figures that would have been produced if the entire South African population had been included in the survey. The measure usually used to indicate the probable difference between a sample estimate and the corresponding population figure is the standard error (SE), which measures the extent to which an estimate might have varied by chance because only a sample of the population was included. There are two major factors which influence the value of a standard error. The first factor is the sample size. Generally speaking, the larger the sample size, the more precise the estimate and the smaller the standard error. Consequently, in a national household survey such as the GHS, one expects more precise estimates at the national level than at the provincial level due to the larger sample size involved. The second factor is the variability between households of the parameter of the population being estimated, for example, the number of unemployed persons in the household.

Abstract

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities.

Geographic coverage

The scope of the General Household Survey 2005 was national coverage.

Analysis unit

The units of anaylsis for the General Household Survey 2005 are individuals and households.

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents) of households in the nine provinces of South Africa and residents in workers' hostels. The survey does not cover collective living quarters such as students' hostels, old age homes, hospitals, prisons and military barracks.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

For the GHS 2005 a multi-stage stratified sample was drawn using probability proportional to size principles. The sample was drawn from the master sample, which Statistics South Africa uses to draw samples for its regular household surveys. The master sample is drawn from the database of enumeration areas (EAs) established during the demarcation phase of Census 2001. As part of the master sample, small EAs consisting of fewer than 100 households are combined with adjacent EAs to form primary sampling units (PSUs) of at least 100 households, to allow for repeated sampling of dwelling units within each PSU. The sampling procedure for the master sample involves explicit stratification by province and within each province, by urban and non-urban areas. Within each stratum, the sample was allocated disproportionately. A PPS sample of PSUs was drawn in each stratum, with the measure of size being the number of households in the PSU. Altogether approximately 3 000 PSUs were selected. In each selected PSU a systematic sample of ten dwelling units was drawn, thus, resulting in approximately 30 000 dwelling units. All households in the sampled dwelling units were enumerated.

The master sample is divided into five independent clusters. In order to avoid respondent fatigue, the Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a rotating panel survey that is conducted twice yearly, whereas the GHS sample uses different clusters.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The GHS 2005 questionnaire collected data on: Household characteristics: Dwelling type, home ownership, access to water and sanitation facilities, access to services, transport, household assets, land ownership, agricultural production Individuals' characteristics: demographic characteristics, relationship to household head, marital status, language, education, employment, income, health, disability, access to social services, mortality. Women's characteristics: fertility

Response rate

87,5% of the expected 32 146 interviews were successfully completed and positive responses were obtained. It was not possible to complete interviews in 3,8 % of the sampled dwelling units. An additional 8,3% of all interviews were not conducted for various reasons, for instance the sampled dwelling units had become vacant or had changed status (e.g. they were used as shops or small businesses at the time of the enumeration but were originally listed as dwelling units).

Sampling error estimates

Estimation and use of standard error The published results of the General Household Survey are based on representative probability samples drawn from the South African population, as discussed in the section on sample design. Consequently, all estimates are subject to sampling variability. This means that the sample estimates may differ from the population figures that would have been produced if the entire South African population had been included in the survey. The measure usually used to indicate the probable difference between a sample estimate and the corresponding population figure is the standard error (SE), which measures the extent to which an estimate might have varied by chance because only a sample of the population was included. There are two major factors which influence the value of a standard error. The first factor is the sample size. Generally speaking, the larger the sample size, the more precise the estimate and the smaller the standard error. Consequently, in a national household survey such as the GHS, one expects more precise estimates at the national level than at the provincial level due to the larger sample size involved. The second factor is the variability between households of the parameter of the population being estimated, for example, the number of unemployed persons in the household.

Abstract

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities. This report has two main objectives. Firstly, to present the key findings of the GHS 2005 in the context of the trends since the first GHS was conducted in 2002; and secondly, to provide a more in-depth analysis of the detailed questions related to selected service delivery issues.

Geographic coverage

The scope of the General Household Survey 2005 was national coverage.

Analysis unit

The units of anaylsis for the General Household Survey 2005 are individuals and households.

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents) of households in the nine provinces of South Africa and residents in workers' hostels. The survey does not cover collective living quarters such as students' hostels, old age homes, hospitals, prisons and military barracks.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

For the GHS 2005 a multi-stage stratified sample was drawn using probability proportional to size principles. The sample was drawn from the master sample, which Statistics South Africa uses to draw samples for its regular household surveys. The master sample is drawn from the database of enumeration areas (EAs) established during the demarcation phase of Census 2001. As part of the master sample, small EAs consisting of fewer than 100 households are combined with adjacent EAs to form primary sampling units (PSUs) of at least 100 households, to allow for repeated sampling of dwelling units within each PSU. The sampling procedure for the master sample involves explicit stratification by province and within each province, by urban and non-urban areas. Within each stratum, the sample was allocated disproportionately. A PPS sample of PSUs was drawn in each stratum, with the measure of size being the number of households in the PSU. Altogether approximately 3 000 PSUs were selected. In each selected PSU a systematic sample of ten dwelling units was drawn, thus, resulting in approximately 30 000 dwelling units. All households in the sampled dwelling units were enumerated. The master sample is divided into five independent clusters. In order to avoid respondent fatigue, the Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a rotating panel survey that is conducted twice yearly, whereas the GHS sample uses different clusters.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The GHS 2005 questionnaire collected data on:

Household characteristics: Dwelling type, home ownership, access to water and sanitation facilities, access to services, transport, household assets, land ownership, agricultural production Individuals' characteristics: demographic characteristics, relationship to household head, marital status, language, education, employment, income, health, disability, access to social services, mortality. Women's characteristics: fertility

Response rate

87,5% of the expected 32 146 interviews were successfully completed and positive responses were obtained. It was not possible to complete interviews in 3,8 % of the sampled dwelling units. An additional 8,3% of all interviews were not conducted for various reasons, for instance the sampled dwelling units had become vacant or had changed status (e.g. they were used as shops or small businesses at the time of the enumeration but were originally listed as dwelling units).

Sampling error estimates

Estimation and use of standard error:

The published results of the General Household Survey are based on representative probability samples drawn from the South African population, as discussed in the section on sample design. Consequently, all estimates are subject to sampling variability. This means that the sample estimates may differ from the population figures that would have been produced if the entire South African population had been included in the survey. The measure usually used to indicate the probable difference between a sample estimate and the corresponding population figure is the standard error (SE), which measures the extent to which an estimate might have varied by chance because only a sample of the population was included. There are two major factors which influence the value of a standard error. The first factor is the sample size. Generally speaking, the larger the sample size, the more precise the estimate and the smaller the standard error. Consequently, in a national household survey such as the GHS, one expects more precise estimates at the national level than at the provincial level due to the larger sample size involved. The second factor is the variability between households of the parameter of the population being estimated, for example, the number of unemployed persons in the household.

Abstract

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities.

Geographic coverage

The scope of the General Household Survey 2010 was national coverage.

Analysis unit

The units of anaylsis for the General Household Survey 2010 are individuals and households.

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents) of households in the nine provinces of South Africa and residents in workers' hostels. The survey does not cover collective living quarters such as student hostels, old age homes, hospitals, prisons and military barracks.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sample design for the GHS 2010 was based on a master sample (MS) that was originally designed for the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) and was used for the first time for the GHS in 2008. This master sample is shared by the QLFS, GHS, Living Conditions Survey (LCS), Domestic Tourism Survey (DTS) and the Income and Expenditure Surveys (IES).

The master sample used a two-stage, stratified design with probability-proportional-to-size (PPS) sampling of primary sampling units (PSUs) from within strata, and systematic sampling of dwelling units (DUs) from the sampled PSUs. A self-weighting design at provincial level was used and MS stratification was divided into two levels. Primary stratification was defined by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan geographic area type. During secondary stratification, the Census 2001 data were summarised at PSU level. The following variables were used for secondary stratification; household size, education, occupancy status, gender, industry and income.

Census enumeration areas (EAs) as delineated for Census 2001 formed the basis of the PSUs. The following additional rules were used: • Where possible, PSU sizes were kept between 100 and 500 DUs; • EAs with fewer than 25 DUs were excluded; • EAs with between 26 and 99 DUs were pooled to form larger PSUs and the criteria used was same settlement type; • Virtual splits were applied to large PSUs: 500 to 999 split into two; 1 000 to 1 499 split into three; and 1 500 plus split into four PSUs; and • Informal PSUs were segmented.

A randomised-probability-proportional-to-size (RPPS) systematic sample of PSUs was drawn in each stratum, with the measure of size being the number of households in the PSU. Altogether approximately 3 080 PSUs were selected. In each selected PSU a systematic sample of dwelling units was drawn. The number of DUs selected per PSU varies from PSU to PSU and depends on the Inverse Sampling Ratios (ISR) of each PSU.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The GHS 2010 questionnaire collected data on: Household characteristics: Dwelling type, home ownership, access to water and sanitation facilities, access to services, transport, household assets, land ownership, agricultural production Individuals' characteristics: demographic characteristics, relationship to household head, marital status, language, education, employment, income, health, fertility, disability, access to social services, mortality.

Abstract

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities.

Geographic coverage

The scope of the General Household Survey 2007 was national coverage.

Analysis unit

The units of anaylsis for the General Household Survey 2007 are individuals and households.

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents) of households in the nine provinces of South Africa and residents in workers' hostels. The survey does not cover collective living quarters such as students' hostels, old age homes, hospitals, prisons and military barracks.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sample design for the GHS 2007 was based on a master sample (MS) that was designed during 2003 and used for the first time in 2004. This master sample was developed specifically for household sample surveys that were conducted by Statistics South Africa between 2004 and 2007. These include surveys such as the annual Labour Force Surveys (LFS), General Household Survey (GHS) and the Income and Expenditure Survey (IES).

A multi-stage stratified area probability sample design was used. Stratification was done per province (nine provinces) and according to district council (DC) (53 DCs) within provinces. These stratification variables were mainly chosen to ensure better geographical coverage, and to enable analysts to disaggregate the data at DC level.

The design included two stages of sampling. Firstly PSUs were systematically selected using Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) sampling techniques. During the second stage of sampling, Dwelling Units (DUs) were systematically selected as Secondary Sampling Units (SSUs). Census Enumeration Areas (EAs) as delineated for Census 2001 formed the basis of the PSUs. EAs were pooled when needed to form PSUs of adequate size (72 dwelling units or more) for the first stage of sampling. The following criteria were used for PSU formation:

• No overlapping between any two PSUs; • Complete coverage of the sampling population; • Fully identifiable (e.g. in the case of a household survey, information on the geographical boundaries of the PSU should enable the exact location of the PSU); • Secondary sampling units (SSUs) must be clearly identifiable within PSUs; • Updated information on the number of SSUs within all the PSUs had to be available; • PSUs must be sufficiently large in respect of the number of SSUs included to enable the forming of a predetermined number of clusters of SSUs, with the size of a cluster equal to the sample take of SSUs within a PSU, taking all types of surveys into consideration; and • PSUs must also be sufficiently small to facilitate the listing and also regular updating of the SSUs within them.

A PPS sample of PSUs was drawn in each stratum, with the measure of size being the number of households in the PSU. Altogether approximately 3 000 PSUs were selected. In each selected PSU a systematic sample of ten dwelling units was drawn, thus, resulting in approximately 30 000 dwelling units. All households in the sampled dwelling units were enumerated.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The GHS 2007 questionnaire collected data on: Household characteristics: Dwelling type, home ownership, access to water and sanitation facilities, access to services, transport, household assets, land ownership, agricultural production Individuals' characteristics: demographic characteristics, relationship to household head, marital status, language, education, employment, income, health, disability, access to social services, mortality. Women's characteristics: fertility

Response rate

29 311 (84,0%) of the expected 34 902 interviews were successfully completed. This response rate is 2,0% points down from the 86,0% response rate as reported in the GHS 2006 report. It was not possible to complete interviews in 5,1% of the sampled dwelling units because of reasons such as refusals or absenteeism. An additional 10,9% of all interviews were not conducted for various reasons such as the sampled dwelling units had become vacant or had changed status (e.g.,. they were used as shops/small businesses at the time of the enumeration, but were originally listed as dwelling units).

Sampling error estimates

Estimation and use of standard error The published results of the General Household Survey are based on representative probability samples drawn from the South African population, as discussed in the section on sample design. Consequently, all estimates are subject to sampling variability. This means that the sample estimates may differ from the population figures that would have been produced if the entire South African population had been included in the survey. The measure usually used to indicate the probable difference between a sample estimate and the corresponding population figure is the standard error (SE), which measures the extent to which an estimate might have varied by chance because only a sample of the population was included. There are two major factors which influence the value of a standard error. The first factor is the sample size. Generally speaking, the larger the sample size, the more precise the estimate and the smaller the standard error. Consequently, in a national household survey such as the GHS, one expects more precise estimates at the national level than at the provincial level due to the larger sample size involved. The second factor is the variability between households of the parameter of the population being estimated, for example, the number of unemployed persons in the household.

Abstract

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities.

Geographic coverage

The General Household Survey 2011 had national coverage.

Analysis unit

The units of anaylsis for the General Household Survey 2011 are individuals and households.

Universe

The survey covers all de jure household members (usual residents) of households in the nine provinces of South Africa and residents in workers' hostels. The survey does not cover collective living quarters such as student hostels, old age homes, hospitals, prisons and military barracks.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sample design for the GHS 2011 was based on a master sample (MS) that was originally designed for the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) and was used for the first time for the GHS in 2008. This master sample is shared by the QLFS, GHS, Living Conditions Survey (LCS), Domestic Tourism Survey (DTS) and the Income and Expenditure Surveys (IES).

The master sample used a two-stage, stratified design with probability-proportional-to-size (PPS) sampling of primary sampling units (PSUs) from within strata, and systematic sampling of dwelling units (DUs) from the sampled PSUs. A self-weighting design at provincial level was used and MS stratification was divided into two levels. Primary stratification was defined by metropolitan and non-metropolitan geographic area type. During secondary stratification, the Census 2001 data were summarised at PSU level. The following variables were used for secondary stratification; household size, education, occupancy status, gender, industry and income.

Census enumeration areas (EAs) as delineated for Census 2001 formed the basis of the PSUs. The following additional rules were used: • Where possible, PSU sizes were kept between 100 and 500 DUs; • EAs with fewer than 25 DUs were excluded; • EAs with between 26 and 99 DUs were pooled to form larger PSUs and the criteria used was same settlement type; • Virtual splits were applied to large PSUs: 500 to 999 split into two; 1 000 to 1 499 split into three; and 1 500 plus split into four PSUs; and • Informal PSUs were segmented.

A randomised-probability-proportional-to-size (RPPS) systematic sample of PSUs was drawn in each stratum, with the measure of size being the number of households in the PSU. Altogether approximately 3 080 PSUs were selected. In each selected PSU a systematic sample of dwelling units was drawn. The number of DUs selected per PSU varies from PSU to PSU and depends on the Inverse Sampling Ratios (ISR) of each PSU.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Abstract

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities.

Geographic coverage

The scope of the General Household Survey 2008 was national coverage.

Analysis unit

The units of anaylsis for the General Household Survey 2008 are: - Iindividuals and - Households.

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents) of households in the nine provinces of South Africa and residents in workers' hostels. The survey does not cover collective living quarters such as students' hostels, old age homes, hospitals, prisons and military barracks.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The MS used a two-stage, stratified design with probability-proportional-to-size (PPS) sampling of PSUs from within strata, and systematic sampling of dwelling units (DUs) from the sampled primary sampling units (PSUs). A self-weighting design at provincial level was used and MS stratification was divided into two levels. Primary stratification was defined by metropolitan and non-metropolitan geographic area type. During secondary stratification, the Census 2001 data were summarised at PSU level. The following variables were used for secondary stratification; household size, education, occupancy status, sex, industry and income. Census enumeration areas (EAs) as delineated for Census 2001 formed the basis of the PSUs. The following additional rules were used:

• Where possible, PSU sizes were kept between 100 and 500 dwelling units (DUs); • EAs with fewer than 25 DUs were excluded; • EAs with between 26 and 99 DUs were pooled to form larger PSUs and the criteria used was same settlement type; • Virtual splits were applied to large PSUs: 500 to 999 split into two; 1 000 to 1 499 split into three; and 1 500 plus split into four PSUs; and • Informal PSUs were segmented.

A Randomised Probability Proportional to Size (RPPS) systematic sample of PSUs was drawn in each stratum, with the measure of size being the number of households in the PSU. Altogether approximately 3 080 PSUs were selected. In each selected PSU a systematic sample of dwelling units was drawn. The number of DUs selected per PSU varies from PSU to PSU .and depends on the Inverse Sampling Ratios (ISR) of each PSU.

Sampling deviation

The sample design for the GHS 2008 was based on a master sample (MS) that was originally designed for the Quarterly Labour Force Surveys (QLFS) and was used for the first time for the GHS in 2008. This MS is shared by the (QLFS), General Household Survey (GHS), Living Conditions Survey (LCS), Domestic Tourism Survey and the Income and Expenditure Surveys (IES).

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The GHS 2008 questionnaire collected data on: Household characteristics: Dwelling type, home ownership, access to water and sanitation facilities, access to services, transport, household assets, land ownership, agricultural production Individuals' characteristics: demographic characteristics, relationship to household head, marital status, language, education, employment, income, health, disability, access to social services, mortality. Women's characteristics: fertility

Response rate

24 293 (77,5% with out-of-scope and 90,15% without out-of-scope) of the 31 346 interviews were successfully completed. It was not possible to complete interviews in 8,5% of the sampled dwelling units owing to reasons such as refusals or absenteeism. An additional 14,0% of all interviews were not conducted for various reasons such as the sampled dwelling units had become vacant or had changed status (e.g. they were used as shops/small businesses at the time of the enumeration, but were originally listed as dwelling units).

Sampling error estimates

Estimation and use of standard error: The published results of the General Household Survey are based on representative probability samples drawn from the South African population, as discussed in the section on sample design. Consequently, all estimates are subject to sampling variability. This means that the sample estimates may differ from the population figures that would have been produced if the entire South African population had been included in the survey. The measure usually used to indicate the probable difference between a sample estimate and the corresponding population figure is the standard error (SE), which measures the extent to which an estimate might have varied by chance because only a sample of the population was included. There are two major factors which influence the value of a standard error. The first factor is the sample size. Generally speaking, the larger the sample size, the more precise the estimate and the smaller the standard error. Consequently, in a national household survey such as the GHS, one expects more precise estimates at the national level than at the provincial level due to the larger sample size involved. The second factor is the variability between households of the parameter of the population being estimated, for example, the number of unemployed persons in the household.

Abstract

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities. This report has two main objectives. Firstly, to present the key findings of the GHS 2006 in the context of the trends since the first GHS was conducted in 2002; and secondly, to provide a more in-depth analysis of the detailed questions related to selected service delivery issues.

Geographic coverage

The scope of the General Household Survey 2006 was national coverage.

Analysis unit

The units of anaylsis for the General Household Survey 2006 are individuals and households.

Universe

The survey covered all household members (usual residents) of households in the nine provinces of South Africa and residents in workers' hostels. The survey does not cover collective living quarters such as students' hostels, old age homes, hospitals, prisons and military barracks.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Enumeration Areas (EAs) that had a household count of less than twenty-five were omitted from the census frame that was used to draw the sample of PSUs for the Master Sample. Other omissions from the frame included all institution EAs except workers' hostels, convents and monasteries. EAs in the census database that were found to have less than sixty dwelling units during listing were pooled. The Master Sample is a multi-stage stratified sample. The overall sample size of PSUs was 3 000. The explicit strata were the 53 district councils. The 3 000 PSUs were allocated to these strata using the power allocation method. The PSUs were then sampled using probability proportional to size principles. The measure of size used was the number of households in a PSU as counted in the census. The sampled PSUs were listed with the dwelling unit as the listing unit. From these listings systematic samples of dwelling units per PSU were drawn. These samples of dwelling units form clusters. The size of the clusters differs depending on the specific survey requirements. The GHS uses one of the clusters that contain ten dwelling units.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The GHS 2006 questionnaire collected data on: Household characteristics: Dwelling type, home ownership, access to water and sanitation facilities, access to services, transport, household assets, land ownership, agricultural production Individuals' characteristics: demographic characteristics, relationship to household head, marital status, language, education, employment, income, health, disability, access to social services, mortality. Women's characteristics: fertility

Response rate

86,0% of the expected 32 566 interviews were successfully completed and positive responses were obtained. It was not possible to complete interviews in 4,4 % of the sampled dwelling units. An additional 9,6% of all interviews were not conducted for various reasons such as the sampled dwelling units had become vacant or had changed status (e.g. they were used as shops/small businesses at the time of the enumeration but were originally listed as dwelling units)

Sampling error estimates

Estimation and use of standard error:

The published results of the General Household Survey are based on representative probability samples drawn from the South African population, as discussed in the section on sample design. Consequently, all estimates are subject to sampling variability. This means that the sample estimates may differ from the population figures that would have been produced if the entire South African population had been included in the survey. The measure usually used to indicate the probable difference between a sample estimate and the corresponding population figure is the standard error (SE), which measures the extent to which an estimate might have varied by chance because only a sample of the population was included. There are two major factors which influence the value of a standard error. The first factor is the sample size. Generally speaking, the larger the sample size, the more precise the estimate and the smaller the standard error. Consequently, in a national household survey such as the GHS, one expects more precise estimates at the national level than at the provincial level due to the larger sample size involved. The second factor is the variability between households of the parameter of the population being estimated, for example, the number of unemployed persons in the household.

Abstract

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities.

Geographic coverage

The scope of the General Household Survey 2006 was national coverage.

Analysis unit

The units of anaylsis for the General Household Survey 2006 are individuals and households.

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents) of households in the nine provinces of South Africa and residents in workers' hostels. The survey does not cover collective living quarters such as students' hostels, old age homes, hospitals, prisons and military barracks.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Enumeration Areas (EAs) that had a household count of less than twenty-five were omitted from the census frame that was used to draw the sample of PSUs for the Master Sample. Other omissions from the frame included all institution EAs except workers’ hostels, convents and monasteries. EAs in the census database that were found to have less than sixty dwelling units during listing were pooled.

The Master Sample is a multi-stage stratified sample. The overall sample size of PSUs was 3 000. The explicit strata were the 53 district councils. The 3 000 PSUs were allocated to these strata using the power allocation method. The PSUs were then sampled using probability proportional to size principles. The measure of size used was the number of households in a PSU as counted in the census.

The sampled PSUs were listed with the dwelling unit as the listing unit. From these listings systematic samples of dwelling units per PSU were drawn. These samples of dwelling units form clusters. The size of the clusters differs depending on the specific survey requirements. The GHS uses one of the clusters that contain ten dwelling units.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The GHS 2006 questionnaire collected data on: Household characteristics: Dwelling type, home ownership, access to water and sanitation facilities, access to services, transport, household assets, land ownership, agricultural production Individuals' characteristics: demographic characteristics, relationship to household head, marital status, language, education, employment, income, health, disability, access to social services, mortality. Women's characteristics: fertility

Response rate

86,0% of the expected 32 566 interviews were successfully completed and positive responses were obtained. It was not possible to complete interviews in 4,4 % of the sampled dwelling units. An additional 9,6% of all interviews were not conducted for various reasons such as the sampled dwelling units had become vacant or had changed status (e.g. they were used as shops/small businesses at the time of the enumeration but were originally listed as dwelling units)

Sampling error estimates

Estimation and use of standard error The published results of the General Household Survey are based on representative probability samples drawn from the South African population, as discussed in the section on sample design. Consequently, all estimates are subject to sampling variability. This means that the sample estimates may differ from the population figures that would have been produced if the entire South African population had been included in the survey. The measure usually used to indicate the probable difference between a sample estimate and the corresponding population figure is the standard error (SE), which measures the extent to which an estimate might have varied by chance because only a sample of the population was included. There are two major factors which influence the value of a standard error. The first factor is the sample size. Generally speaking, the larger the sample size, the more precise the estimate and the smaller the standard error. Consequently, in a national household survey such as the GHS, one expects more precise estimates at the national level than at the provincial level due to the larger sample size involved. The second factor is the variability between households of the parameter of the population being estimated, for example, the number of unemployed persons in the household.

Abstract

The GHS is an annual household survey, specifically designed to measure various aspects of the living circumstances of South African households. The key findings reported here focus on the five broad areas covered by the GHS, namely: education, health, activities related to work and unemployment, housing and household access to services and facilities. This report has two main objectives. Firstly, to present the key findings of the GHS 2007 in the context of the trends since the first GHS was conducted in 2002; and secondly, to provide a more in-depth analysis of the detailed questions related to selected service delivery issues.

Geographic coverage

The scope of the General Household Survey 2007 was national coverage.

Analysis unit

The units of anaylsis for the General Household Survey 2007 are individuals and households.

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents) of households in the nine provinces of South Africa and residents in workers' hostels. The survey does not cover collective living quarters such as students' hostels, old age homes, hospitals, prisons and military barracks.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sample design for the GHS 2007 was based on a master sample (MS) that was designed during 2003 and used for the first time in 2004. This master sample was developed specifically for household sample surveys that were conducted by Statistics South Africa between 2004 and 2007. These include surveys such as the annual Labour Force Surveys (LFS), General Household Survey (GHS) and the Income and Expenditure Survey (IES). A multi-stage stratified area probability sample design was used. Stratification was done per province (nine provinces) and according to district council (DC) (53 DCs) within provinces. These stratification variables were mainly chosen to ensure better geographical coverage, and to enable analysts to disaggregate the data at DC level. The design included two stages of sampling. Firstly PSUs were systematically selected using Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) sampling techniques. During the second stage of sampling, Dwelling Units (DUs) were systematically selected as Secondary Sampling Units (SSUs). Census Enumeration Areas (EAs) as delineated for Census 2001 formed the basis of the PSUs. EAs were pooled when needed to form PSUs of adequate size (72 dwelling units or more) for the first stage of sampling. The following criteria were used for PSU formation:

• No overlapping between any two PSUs; • Complete coverage of the sampling population; • Fully identifiable (e.g. in the case of a household survey, information on the geographical boundaries of the PSU should enable the exact location of the PSU); • Secondary sampling units (SSUs) must be clearly identifiable within PSUs; • Updated information on the number of SSUs within all the PSUs had to be available; • PSUs must be sufficiently large in respect of the number of SSUs included to enable the forming of a predetermined number of clusters of SSUs, with the size of a cluster equal to the sample take of SSUs within a PSU, taking all types of surveys into consideration; and • PSUs must also be sufficiently small to facilitate the listing and also regular updating of the SSUs within them.

A PPS sample of PSUs was drawn in each stratum, with the measure of size being the number of households in the PSU. Altogether approximately 3 000 PSUs were selected. In each selected PSU a systematic sample of ten dwelling units was drawn, thus, resulting in approximately 30 000 dwelling units. All households in the sampled dwelling units were enumerated.

Sampling deviation

A multi-stage stratified area probability sample design was used. Stratification was done per province (nine provinces) and according to district council (DC) (53 DCs) within provinces. These stratification variables were mainly chosen to ensure better geographical coverage, and to enable analysts to disaggregate the data at DC level. The design included two stages of sampling as follows:

• Firstly the Primary sampling unit PSUs were systematically selected using Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) sampling techniques • During the second stage of sampling, Dwelling Units (DUs) were systematically selected as Secondary Sampling Units (SSUs).

Altogether approximately 3 000 PSUs were selected. In each selected PSU a systematic sample of ten dwelling units was drawn, thus, resulting in approximately 30 000 dwelling units. All households in the sampled dwelling units were enumerated.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The GHS 2007 questionnaire collected data on: Household characteristics: Dwelling type, home ownership, access to water and sanitation facilities, access to services, transport, household assets, land ownership, agricultural production; Individuals' characteristics: demographic characteristics, relationship to household head, marital status, language, education, employment, income, health, disability, access to social services, mortality; Women's characteristics: fertility.

This directory contains the following sections in Word and PDF format:

• The Cover page contains particulars of households, response details, field staff information, result codes, etc. (This information is not contained in the data supplied) • The Flap covers demographic information (name, sex, age, population group, etc.) • Section 1 covers biographical information (education, health, disability, welfare) • Section 2 covers activities related to work and unemployment. • Section 3 covers non-remunerated trips undertaken in the 12 months prior to the survey. • Section 4, this section covers Household information (type of dwelling, ownership ofdwelling and other assets, electricity, water and sanitation, environmental issues, services, transport, expenditure etc.

Response rate

29 311 (84,0%) of the expected 34 902 interviews were successfully completed. This response rate is 2,0% points down from the 86,0% response rate as reported in the GHS 2006 report. It was not possible to complete interviews in 5,1% of the sampled dwelling units because of reasons such as refusals or absenteeism. An additional 10,9% of all interviews were not conducted for various reasons such as the sampled dwelling units had become vacant or had changed status (e.g.,. they were used as shops/small businesses at the time of the enumeration, but were originally listed as dwelling units).

Sampling error estimates

Estimation and use of standard error: The published results of the General Household Survey are based on representative probability samples drawn from the South African population, as discussed in the section on sample design. Consequently, all estimates are subject to sampling variability. This means that the sample estimates may differ from the population figures that would have been produced if the entire South African population had been included in the survey. The measure usually used to indicate the probable difference between a sample estimate and the corresponding population figure is the standard error (SE), which measures the extent to which an estimate might have varied by chance because only a sample of the population was included. There are two major factors which influence the value of a standard error. The first factor is the sample size. Generally speaking, the larger the sample size, the more precise the estimate and the smaller the standard error. Consequently, in a national household survey such as the GHS, one expects more precise estimates at the national level than at the provincial level due to the larger sample size involved. The second factor is the variability between households of the parameter of the population being estimated, for example, the number of unemployed persons in the household.