17 June 2026

STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA COMMEMORATES 30 YEARS OF DEMOCRATIC CENSUSES

2026 marks 30 years since the first democratic census of 1996 was conducted in South Africa. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) commemorates the 30 Years of Census, marking three decades of democratic census-taking and reflecting on the important role census data has played in South Africa’s development. This is a significant milestone for the organisation, which coincides with the 50^th Anniversary of the Soweto Youth Uprisings.

As South Africa celebrates Youth Month, it is significant to note the role of the democratic census of 1996 in giving youth a voice in democracy. Before the Census of 1996, a composite account of the demographics and the living conditions of young people in the country remained non-existent. The first democratic population count was undertaken 20 years post the 1976 student uprisings. The results of the census not only identified the country as a youthful population but also set the basis for formalised and structured youth formations funded by government, the private sector, non-government formations, and other sectors. The youth population continues to claim space in democracy, and it is through official data that they can sustain and shape contemporary discourse.

Commemorating 30 Years of the Census provides an opportunity to celebrate the gains in the use of official data over the years to establish structures aimed at improving the lives of youth in the country. It also highlights how census-taking has evolved over the past three decades to align with the current digital economy, transitioning from traditional paper-based data collection in 1996 to the country’s first fully digital census in 2022.

“A census is a national undertaking, and we have, as a country, continued to capture the lived realities of South Africa’s young population, among other populations in different age cohorts. The census tells who we are as a people, where we live, how we live, and how our country is changing over time. Thirty years of democratic censuses have provided a rich evidence base that continues to guide South Africa’s development agenda to improve the lives of the youth.”

South Africa conducts censuses in October. Outreach activities will continue to showcase key milestones and insights from the four democratic censuses, culminating in the main 30 Years of Census celebration in October. Stats SA has started sharing census products that link to national campaigns and themes, highlighting, amongst others, demographic trends, changing household structures, migration patterns, urbanisation, education, employment, gender dynamics, technological advancement, and other significant developments that have shaped South Africa over the past three decades.

As Stats SA celebrates this milestone, the organisation reaffirms its commitment to producing quality official statistics that serve the public good and support evidence-based planning.

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Issued by

Statistics South Africa

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Felicia Sithole: Cell: 0764300693 Email: felicias@statssa.gov.za

Sivuyile Mangxamba (Cell: 0828882372: Email: SivuyileMA@statssa.gov.za

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30 Years of Counting All People in South Africa because Everyone Counts