Abstract

The population census conducted in South Africa in 1985 covered the whole of South Africa, but excluded the "Homelands" of Transkei, Bophutatswana, Ciskei, and Venda. This dataset is the full census, as opposed to the 10% sample datasets provided by Statistics South Africa from 1996 onwards.

Geographic coverage

The 1985 census covered the so-called white areas of South Africa - the provinces of the Cape, the Orange Free State, Transvaal, and Natal - and the so-called National States of KwaZulu, Kangwane, Gazankulu, Lebowa, Qwaqwa, and Kwandebele. The 1985 South African census excluded the areas of the Transkei, Bophutatswana, Ciskei, and Venda.

The 1985 Census dataset has 9 data files. These refer to Development Regions demarcated by the South African Government according to their socio-economic conditions and development needs. These Development Regions are labeled A to J (there is no Region I, presumably because Statistics SA felt an "I" could be confused with the number 1). The 9 data files in the 1985 Census dataset refer to the following areas:

DEV REGION AREA COVERED A Western Cape Province including Walvis Bay B Northern Cape C Orange Free State and Qwaqwa D Eastern Cape/Border E Natal and Kwazulu F Eastern Transvaal, KaNgwane and part of the Simdlangentsha district of Kwazulu G Northern Transvaal, Lebowa and Gazankulu H PWV area, Moutse and KwaNdebele J Western Transvaal

Analysis unit

The units of analysis under observation in the South African census 1985 are households and individuals

Universe

All persons who were present on Republic of South African territory during census night were enumerated. Visitors from abroad who were present in the RSA on holiday or business on the night of the census, as well as foreigners (and their families) who were studying or economically active, were enumerated but not included in the final data. Likewise, members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps of foreign countries were not included. However, the South African personnel linked to the foreign missions including domestic workers were enumerated. Crews and passengers of ships were also not enumerated, unless they were normally resident in the Republic of South Africa. Residents of the RSA who were absent from the night were as far as possible enumerated on their return and included in the region where they normally resided. Personnel of the South African Government stationed abroad and their families were, however enumerated. Such persons were included in the Transvaal (Pretoria).

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The1985 population census questionnaire was administered to each household and collected information on household and area type, and information on household members, including relationship within household, sex, age, marital status, population group, birthplace, country of citizenship, level of education, occupation, identity of employer and the nature of economic activities

Data appraisal

UNDER-ENUMERATION: The following under-enumeration figures have been calculated for the 1985 census. Estimated percentage distribution of undercount by race according to the HSRC: Percent undercount
Whites 7.6%
Blacks in the “RSA” 20.4% Blacks in the “National States” 15.1% Coloureds 1.0% Asians 4.6%

This dataset provides the racial demographics of South Africa based on percentages as reported in the 2018 South African Census.

Geographic coverage

The 1985 census covered the so-called white areas of South Africa, i.e. the areas in the former four provinces of the Cape, the Orange Free State, Transvaal, and Natal. It also covered the so-called National States of KwaZulu, Kangwane, Gazankulu, Lebowa, Qwaqwa, and Kwandebele. The 1985 South African census excluded the areas of the Transkei, Bophutatswana, Ciskei, and Venda.

The 1985 Census dataset contains 9 data files. These refer to Development Regions demarcated by the South African Government according to their socio-economic conditions and development needs. These Development Regions are labeled A to J (there is no Region I, presumably because Statistics SA felt an "I" could be confused with the number 1). The 9 data files in the 1985 Census dataset refer to the following areas:

DEV REGION AREA COVERED A Western Cape Province including Walvis Bay B Northern Cape C Orange Free State and Qwaqwa D Eastern Cape/Border E Natal and Kwazulu F Eastern Transvaal, KaNgwane and part of the Simdlangentsha district of Kwazulu G Northern Transvaal, Lebowa and Gazankulu H PWV area, Moutse and KwaNdebele J Western Transvaal

Analysis unit

The units of analysis under observation in the South African census 1985 are households and individuals

Universe

The South African census 1985 census covered the provinces of the Cape, the Orange Free State, Transvaal, and Nata and the so-called National States of KwaZulu, Kangwane, Gazankulu, Lebowa, Qwaqwa, and Kwandebele. The 1985 South African census excluded the areas of the Transkei, Bophutatswana, Ciskei, and Venda.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Sampling procedure

Although the census was meant to cover all residents of the so called white areas of South Africa, in 88 areas door-to-door surveys were not possible and the population in these areas was enumerated by means of a sample survey conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The1985 population census questionnaire was administered to each household and collected information on household and area type, and information on household members, including relationship within household, sex, age, marital status, population group, birthplace, country of citizenship, level of education, occupation, identity of employer and the nature of economic activities

Data appraisal

UNDER-ENUMERATION: The following under-enumeration figures have been calculated for the 1985 census. Estimated percentage distribution of undercount by race according to the HSRC: Percent undercount
Whites 7.6%
Blacks in the “RSA” 20.4% Blacks in the “National States” 15.1% Coloureds 1.0% Asians 4.6%

Youth Unemployment Rate in South Africa increased to 62.40 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 59.60 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - South Africa Youth Unemployment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between truth acceptance and reconciliation among South Africans during and since the political transition from Apartheid to democracy. The study investigated the extent to which South Africans participated in the truth as promulgated by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the degree to which they were "reconciled." The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was based on the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act of 1995. The TRC investigated past gross human rights violations and granted amnesty to individuals in exchange for full and public disclosure of information related to these crimes. The hypothesis that truth acceptance leads to reconciliation was tested in this research. Data were collected through a rigorous and systematic survey of South Africans. Nearly all relevant segments of the South African population were included in the sample, as well as representative subsamples of at least 250 respondents of most major racial/ethnic/linguistic groups. Questions about the TRC investigated respondent awareness, knowledge, and approval of the activities of the TRC. Respondents were asked for their opinions on the effectiveness of the TRC in its efforts to provide a true and unbiased account of South Africa's history and in awarding compensation to those who suffered abuses under the Apartheid regime. Other questions about the TRC asked respondents how important it was to find out the truth about the past and achieve racial reconciliation. Demographic variables include age, marital status, education level, and employment status.Response Rates: A total of 3,727 interviews were completed. In the primary sample, 3,139 interviews were completed. The boost sample included 588 completed interviews. The overall response rate for the survey was approximately 87 percent.(1) This study was conducted in collaboration with Amanda Gouws (Stellenbosch University, South Africa), Charles Villa-Vicencio (Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, Cape Town, South Africa), and Helen Macdonald (Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, Cape Town, South Africa).(2) Two weight variables are included in the dataset. One weight variable (NATWT) should be used when analysis is not conducted by race, and the other (RACEWT) should be used when conducting analyses comparing respondent race. (3) Users must cite the original NSF grant number in all materials produced from this project.South African population, aged 18 and over.The area probability sample included a primary sample of South Africans of all races and a boost sample of white South Africans. Representative subsamples of at least 250 respondents of most major racial, ethnic, and linguistic groups were also included.