October Household Survey [South Africa], 1995 (M877V1)

ABSTRACT: The October Household Survey (OHS) of 1995 is the second official survey undertaken by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) with the specific aim to make information available for the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). The OHS is one of the so-called presidential projects and provides valuable information regarding the formulation of policy and the planning and implementation of the RDP. The OHS is an annual sample survey that was undertaken for the first time in 1993. The original purpose of the OHS was to fill the gap that resulted from the suspension of the Current Population Survey (CPS) amongst Blacks in 1990 and amongst Coloureds and Indians in 1991, as well as the suspension of the related survey on the informal sector. Since 1994 the main purpose of the OHS has been to collect RDP information with regard to households and individuals according to the nine provinces. The questions included are on: particulars of and services in the dwelling; perceived quality of life; socio-biographic information; RDP-related information on unemployment; the informal and formal sectors; as well as statistics on births and deaths.