Quarterly Labour Force Survey 2012
South Africa, 2012
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Reference ID
ZAF_2012_QLFS-Q4_v02_M
Producer(s)
Statistics South Africa
Created on
May 19, 2014
Last modified
Mar 29, 2019
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Identification
Survey ID number
ZAF_2012_QLFS-Q4_v02_M
Title
Quarterly Labour Force Survey 2012
Subtitle
Fourth Quarter
Country
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| South Africa | ZAF |
Study type
Labor Force Survey [hh/lfs]
Series Information
History of the labour force survey
The October Household Survey (OHS)
The principal vehicle for collecting labour market information for the whole country over the period 1994-1999 was the annual October Household Survey (OHS). However, the OHS also collected information from respondents about a diverse range of issues relating to: births and deaths, health, crime, education and training initiatives as well as the services and amenities available to the dwelling(s) in which households lived etc. Changes were made to the OHS sample design for successive surveys. Essentially, the OHSs were independent cross-sectional surveys that had different sample designs. Over the years, the labour market component of the OHS questionnaire was also changed to accommodate both national requirements in terms of providing information to inform policymakers and international requirements that conformed to the standards of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The Labour Force Survey (LFS)
The first LFS was conducted in 2000 and since then it has been undertaken on a six-monthly basis in March and September each year. The LFS is more focused on labour issues than its predecessor (the OHS) since the bulk of the non-labour questions were channeled to the General Household Survey (GHS).
As with the OHS, the LFS sample is representative of all provinces and strata (which are District Councils) within provinces. However, since 2000, Stats SA has used a Master Sample of 3 000 Primary Sampling Units (PSUs) from the population census as the sampling frame for the LFS. As a result, and unlike the OHSs, the sampling methodology was consistent in each round of the survey. The intention was that the selected dwelling units would remain in the sample for five consecutive surveys, with one-fifth of these dwelling units rotating out each round of the survey. The dwelling unit approach is adopted because households are mobile and cannot easily be tracked. The unit of sampling is therefore the dwelling unit and the unit of observation is the household.
The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS)
The decision to redesign all aspects of the LFS emanated from criticisms by data users and these are documented in the report written by International Monetary Fund (IMF) consultants in June 2005. These criticisms related to the scope, coverage, timeliness and frequency of the survey.
In addressing these issues, Stats SA decided to embark on a quarterly cycle for the collection of labour market information. Increasing the frequency of the survey, coupled with the additional requirement to release results in a timely fashion required the following:
• Continuous data collection.
• Automated data processing system.
A new Master Sample and listing procedures have been developed, new fieldwork procedures have been implemented, and a shorter core questionnaire and an end-to-end data processing system has also been developed.
The October Household Survey (OHS)
The principal vehicle for collecting labour market information for the whole country over the period 1994-1999 was the annual October Household Survey (OHS). However, the OHS also collected information from respondents about a diverse range of issues relating to: births and deaths, health, crime, education and training initiatives as well as the services and amenities available to the dwelling(s) in which households lived etc. Changes were made to the OHS sample design for successive surveys. Essentially, the OHSs were independent cross-sectional surveys that had different sample designs. Over the years, the labour market component of the OHS questionnaire was also changed to accommodate both national requirements in terms of providing information to inform policymakers and international requirements that conformed to the standards of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The Labour Force Survey (LFS)
The first LFS was conducted in 2000 and since then it has been undertaken on a six-monthly basis in March and September each year. The LFS is more focused on labour issues than its predecessor (the OHS) since the bulk of the non-labour questions were channeled to the General Household Survey (GHS).
As with the OHS, the LFS sample is representative of all provinces and strata (which are District Councils) within provinces. However, since 2000, Stats SA has used a Master Sample of 3 000 Primary Sampling Units (PSUs) from the population census as the sampling frame for the LFS. As a result, and unlike the OHSs, the sampling methodology was consistent in each round of the survey. The intention was that the selected dwelling units would remain in the sample for five consecutive surveys, with one-fifth of these dwelling units rotating out each round of the survey. The dwelling unit approach is adopted because households are mobile and cannot easily be tracked. The unit of sampling is therefore the dwelling unit and the unit of observation is the household.
The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS)
The decision to redesign all aspects of the LFS emanated from criticisms by data users and these are documented in the report written by International Monetary Fund (IMF) consultants in June 2005. These criticisms related to the scope, coverage, timeliness and frequency of the survey.
In addressing these issues, Stats SA decided to embark on a quarterly cycle for the collection of labour market information. Increasing the frequency of the survey, coupled with the additional requirement to release results in a timely fashion required the following:
• Continuous data collection.
• Automated data processing system.
A new Master Sample and listing procedures have been developed, new fieldwork procedures have been implemented, and a shorter core questionnaire and an end-to-end data processing system has also been developed.
Abstract
The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) is a household-based sample survey conducted by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). It collects data on the labour market activities of individuals aged 15 years or older who live in South Africa.
The objective of the QLFS is to collect quarterly information about persons in the labour market, i.e., those who are employed; those who are unemployed and those who are not economically active.
This information will be published as core labour market indicators2 four weeks after the end of each quarter and an annual report and supplementary data will be published six months after the end of each calendar year.
The objective of the QLFS is to collect quarterly information about persons in the labour market, i.e., those who are employed; those who are unemployed and those who are not economically active.
This information will be published as core labour market indicators2 four weeks after the end of each quarter and an annual report and supplementary data will be published six months after the end of each calendar year.
Kind of Data
Sample survey data [ssd]
Unit of Analysis
Individuals
Version
Version Description
v2.0: Edited, anonymised dataset for public distribution
Version Date
2013-02-05
Version Notes
This version of the QLFS 2012 Q4 was downloaded from the Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) website in April 2014 as a revision to the version previously downloaded in May 2013.
The two versions have different weights. Stats SA updated the QLFS results (2008-2013) to reflect the new population benchmarks from Census 2011. Although the weighting changes are not clearly documented by Stats SA, users are advised to remain aware of these slight calibration differences when employing weights.
The two versions have different weights. Stats SA updated the QLFS results (2008-2013) to reflect the new population benchmarks from Census 2011. Although the weighting changes are not clearly documented by Stats SA, users are advised to remain aware of these slight calibration differences when employing weights.
Scope
Notes
INDIVIDUALS: labour market activity, labour preferences, labour market history, demographic characteristics, marital status, employment status, education, grants, tax.
Topics
Coverage
Geographic Coverage
National coverage
Geographic Unit
Provincial and metropolitan level
Universe
The QLFS sample covers the non-institutional population of South Africa with one exception. The only institutional subpopulation included in the QLFS sample are individuals in worker's hostels. Persons living in private dwelling units within institutions are also enumerated. For example, within a school compound, one would enumerate the schoolmaster's house and teachers' accommodation because these are private dwellings. Students living in a dormitory on the school compound would, however, be excluded.
Producers and sponsors
Primary investigators
| Name |
|---|
| Statistics South Africa |
Sampling
Sampling Procedure
The QLFS frame has been developed as a general purpose household survey frame that can be used by all other household surveys irrespective of the sample size requirement of the survey. The sample size for the QLFS is roughly 30000 dwellings per quarter.
The sample is based on information collected during the 2001 Population Census conducted by Stats SA. In preparation for the 2001 Census, the country was divided into 80 787 enumeration areas (EAs). Stats SA's household-based surveys use a Master Sample of Primary Sampling Units (PSUs) which comprises of EAs that are drawn from across the country.
The sample is designed to be representative at the provincial level and within provinces at the metro/non-metro level. Within the metros, the sample is further distributed by geography type. The four geography types are: urban formal, urban informal, farms and tribal. This implies, for example, that within a metropolitan area the sample is representative at the different geography types that may exist within that metro.
The current sample size is 3080 PSUs. It is divided equally into four sub-groups or panels called rotation groups. The rotation groups are designed in such a way that each of these groups has the same distribution pattern as that which is observed in the whole sample. They are numbered from one to four and these numbers also correspond to the quarters of the year in which the sample will be rotated for the particular group.
The sample for the QLFS is based on a stratified two-stage design with probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling of primary sampling units (PSUs) in the first stage, and sampling of dwelling units (DUs) with systematic sampling in the second stage.
Sample Rotation
Each quarter, a ¼ of the sampled dwellings rotate out of the sample and are replaced by new dwellings from the same PSU or the next PSU on the list. Thus, sampled dwellings will remain in the sample for four consecutive quarters. It should be noted that the sampling unit is the dwelling, and the unit of observation is the household. Therefore, if a household moves out of a dwelling after being in the sample for, say two quarters, and a new household moves in, the new household will be enumerated for the next two quarters. If no household moves into the sampled dwelling, the dwelling will be classified as vacant (unoccupied).
The sample is based on information collected during the 2001 Population Census conducted by Stats SA. In preparation for the 2001 Census, the country was divided into 80 787 enumeration areas (EAs). Stats SA's household-based surveys use a Master Sample of Primary Sampling Units (PSUs) which comprises of EAs that are drawn from across the country.
The sample is designed to be representative at the provincial level and within provinces at the metro/non-metro level. Within the metros, the sample is further distributed by geography type. The four geography types are: urban formal, urban informal, farms and tribal. This implies, for example, that within a metropolitan area the sample is representative at the different geography types that may exist within that metro.
The current sample size is 3080 PSUs. It is divided equally into four sub-groups or panels called rotation groups. The rotation groups are designed in such a way that each of these groups has the same distribution pattern as that which is observed in the whole sample. They are numbered from one to four and these numbers also correspond to the quarters of the year in which the sample will be rotated for the particular group.
The sample for the QLFS is based on a stratified two-stage design with probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling of primary sampling units (PSUs) in the first stage, and sampling of dwelling units (DUs) with systematic sampling in the second stage.
Sample Rotation
Each quarter, a ¼ of the sampled dwellings rotate out of the sample and are replaced by new dwellings from the same PSU or the next PSU on the list. Thus, sampled dwellings will remain in the sample for four consecutive quarters. It should be noted that the sampling unit is the dwelling, and the unit of observation is the household. Therefore, if a household moves out of a dwelling after being in the sample for, say two quarters, and a new household moves in, the new household will be enumerated for the next two quarters. If no household moves into the sampled dwelling, the dwelling will be classified as vacant (unoccupied).
Response Rate
Response rates by province
Province Oct–Dec 2012 (Percent)
Western Cape 91.9
Eastern Cape 98.3
Northern Cape 91.4
Free State 96.7
KwaZulu-Natal 97.8
North West 93.4
Gauteng 78.1
Mpumalanga 93.8
Limpopo 98.7
South Africa 92.4
Province Oct–Dec 2012 (Percent)
Western Cape 91.9
Eastern Cape 98.3
Northern Cape 91.4
Free State 96.7
KwaZulu-Natal 97.8
North West 93.4
Gauteng 78.1
Mpumalanga 93.8
Limpopo 98.7
South Africa 92.4
Weighting
Stats SA updated the QLFS results (2008-2013) to reflect the new population benchmarks from Census 2011. Although the weighting changes are not clearly documented by Stats SA, users are advised to remain aware of these slight calibration differences between the previous version and the current (revised) data version when employing weights.
Weighting
The sampling weights for the data collected from the sampled households are constructed in such a manner that the responses could be properly expanded to represent the entire civilian population of South Africa. The weights are the result of calculations involving several factors, including original selection probabilities, adjustment for non-response, and benchmarking to known population estimates from the Demographic division of Stats SA.
Final survey weights
The final survey weights are constructed using regression estimation to calibrate to the known population counts at the national level population estimates (which are supplied by the Demography division) crossclassified by 5-year age groups, gender and race, and provincial population estimates by broad age groups. The 5-year age groups are: 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, etc., and 65 years and above. The provincial level age groups are: 0-14, 15-34, 35-64, and 65 years and over. The calibrated weights are constructed such that all persons in a household would have the same final weight.
Weighting
The sampling weights for the data collected from the sampled households are constructed in such a manner that the responses could be properly expanded to represent the entire civilian population of South Africa. The weights are the result of calculations involving several factors, including original selection probabilities, adjustment for non-response, and benchmarking to known population estimates from the Demographic division of Stats SA.
Final survey weights
The final survey weights are constructed using regression estimation to calibrate to the known population counts at the national level population estimates (which are supplied by the Demography division) crossclassified by 5-year age groups, gender and race, and provincial population estimates by broad age groups. The 5-year age groups are: 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, etc., and 65 years and above. The provincial level age groups are: 0-14, 15-34, 35-64, and 65 years and over. The calibrated weights are constructed such that all persons in a household would have the same final weight.
Data collection
Dates of Data Collection
| Start | End |
|---|---|
| 2012-10 | 2012-12 |
Data Collectors
| Name |
|---|
| Statistics South Africa |
Data appraisal
Estimates of Sampling Error
Since estimates are based on sample data, they differ from figures that would have been obtained from complete enumeration of the population using the same instrument. Results are subject to both sampling and non-sampling errors. Non-sampling errors include biases from inaccurate reporting, processing, and tabulation, etc., as well as errors from non-response and incomplete reporting. These types of errors cannot be measured readily. However, to some extent, non-sampling errors can be minimised through the procedures used for data collection, editing, quality control, and non-response adjustment. The variances of the survey estimates are used to measure sampling errors.
access_policy
Access conditions
Public use files, accessible to all
Citation requirements
Use of the dataset must be acknowledged using a citation which would include:
- the Identification of the Primary Investigator
- the title of the survey (including country, acronym and year of implementation)
- the survey reference number
- the source and date of download
Example:
Statistics South Africa. South Africa Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS-Q4) 2012, Fourth Quarter 2012. Ref. ZAF_2012_QLFS-Q4_v02_M. Dataset downloaded from [url] on [date].
- the Identification of the Primary Investigator
- the title of the survey (including country, acronym and year of implementation)
- the survey reference number
- the source and date of download
Example:
Statistics South Africa. South Africa Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS-Q4) 2012, Fourth Quarter 2012. Ref. ZAF_2012_QLFS-Q4_v02_M. Dataset downloaded from [url] on [date].
Disclaimer and copyrights
Disclaimer
The user of the data acknowledges that the original collector of the data, the authorized distributor of the data, and the relevant funding agency bear no responsibility for use of the data or for interpretations or inferences based upon such uses.
Metadata production
DDI Document ID
DDI_ZAF_2012_QLFS-Q4_v02_M
Producers
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| DataFirst | University of Cape Town | DDI Producer |
Date of Metadata Production
2013-05-16
Metadata version
DDI Document version
Version 01 (August 2013). Edited version based on Version 01 DDI (DDI-ZAF-DATAFIRST-QLFS-2012-Q3-V1) that was done by DataFirst.
Version 02 (April 2014): This version is identical to Version 01, with revisions to data.
Version 02 (April 2014): This version is identical to Version 01, with revisions to data.