Statistics South Africa (frequently shortened to
Stats SA) is the national
statistical service of
South Africa, with the goal of producing timely, accurate, and official statistics in order to advance
economic growth,
development, and
democracy. To this end, Statistics South Africa produces official demographic, economic, and social
censuses and
surveys. To date, Statistics South Africa has produced three censuses, in
1996,
2001 as well as the results of the
2011 Census were released. Stats SA was previously known as the "Central Statistical Service"; shortly after the end of apartheid it absorbed the statistical services of the former
Transkei,
Bophuthatswana,
Venda and
Ciskei.