Description: The study makes assessments of the state of young people in South Africa in relation to education, economic and civic participation, and health and wellbeing. The study consisted of a literature review, secondary data analysis and a nationally representative survey of 3 541 young people aged 18-35 years. Abstract: The study makes assessments of the state of young people in South Africa in relation to education, economic and civic participation, and health and well-being. The study consisted of a literature review, secondary data analysis and a nationally representative survey of 3 541 young people aged 18-35 years.

The Status of the Youth Report (SYR) 2003-2004 was commissioned by the Umsobomvu Youth Fund as a background document against which to make future, regular assessments of the state of young people in South Africa. The study had two components, first, a review of existing literature and available secondary data sources and second, a nationally representative survey of young people between the ages of 18 and 35 years of age, which is documented in this data set.

The topics covered included in the data set included education, labour market participation, health and disability, crime and violence, and social integration.

Face-to-face interview

Young people residing in South African households between ages 18 and 35.

A self-weighting sample was designed, based on the most recent available data from Statistics South Africa. Thus, the major reporting domains of the sample were drawn so that they are proportional to that of Census 2001. Households (primary sampling units) were selected to render a national sample of 3 500 young people, representative of population group and province. The Census 2001 enumeration areas (EAs) selected by the HSRC's Surveys, Analysis, Modelling and Mapping Unit were associated with their different municipalities and plotted on a national map. Route maps were prepared to identify each primary sample unit in the sample design within each district and in each province.

These maps served as a guide for the survey team into the correct enumeration area and to the selected households within each area. The original sample design was 3 500.The fieldwork company targeted 3 600, so as to allow for refusals and incomplete questionnaires. Response rate to the targeted sample of 3 541 is 98.36 percent. Minority population groups were slightly over-sampled in the study but, as this is so slight, it does not change the self-weighting nature of the sample.