Can estimating completeness of death registration be used as evidence of inaccuracy of population size estimates from a census? The case of the 2011 South African population census.

Population size information is indispensable for efficient planning in any population. All the three South Africa’s post-apartheid population censuses are controversial as there are debates about their accuracy. This study examined whether estimating completeness of death registration can be a tool for assessing the accuracy of the 2011 South Africa’s official census population estimate. The study concluded that the official 2011 census figures over-stated South Africa’s population size. This in turn produced over-estimation of life expectancy at birth for
South Africa.

Author: Udjo E. O. 2017.

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