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Cost-Benefit Analysis for a Quinquennial Census: The 2016 Population Census of South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Spencer Bruce D.

    (Department of Statistics and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-4070, United States of America)

  • May Julian

    (DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa)

  • Kenyon Steven

    (National Treasury, Pretoria, South Africa)

  • Seeskin Zachary

    (NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60603, United States of America)

Abstract

The question of whether to carry out a quinquennial Census is faced by national statistical offices in increasingly many countries, including Canada, Nigeria, Ireland, Australia, and South Africa. We describe uses and limitations of cost-benefit analysis in this decision problem in the case of the 2016 Census of South Africa. The government of South Africa needed to decide whether to conduct a 2016 Census or to rely on increasingly inaccurate postcensal estimates accounting for births, deaths, and migration since the previous (2011) Census. The cost-benefit analysis compared predicted costs of the 2016 Census to the benefits of improved allocation of intergovernmental revenue, which was considered by the government to be a critical use of the 2016 Census, although not the only important benefit. Without the 2016 Census, allocations would be based on population estimates. Accuracy of the postcensal estimates was estimated from the performance of past estimates, and the hypothetical expected reduction in errors in allocation due to the 2016 Census was estimated. A loss function was introduced to quantify the improvement in allocation. With this evidence, the government was able to decide not to conduct the 2016 Census, but instead to improve data and capacity for producing post-censal estimates.

Suggested Citation

  • Spencer Bruce D. & May Julian & Kenyon Steven & Seeskin Zachary, 2017. "Cost-Benefit Analysis for a Quinquennial Census: The 2016 Population Census of South Africa," Journal of Official Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 33(1), pages 249-274, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:vrs:offsta:v:33:y:2017:i:1:p:249-274:n:13
    DOI: 10.1515/jos-2017-0013
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paul Cunningham & Aikaterini Karakasidou, 2009. "ERAWATCH Country Reports 2009: United Kingdom. Analysis of Policy Mixes to Foster R&D Investment and to Contribute to the ERA," JRC Research Reports JRC53725, Joint Research Centre.
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