Imputation for nonresponse using the Annual Financial Statistics Survey.

Abstract

In this dissertation, we focus on the Annual Financial Statistics (AFS) survey. This is a survey conducted by Statistics South Africa, the national statistics office of South Africa. The main purpose of this survey is to provide information for compiling of the GDP estimates, value-added and its components, which are used to monitor and develop government policies. The AFS covers a sample of private enterprises operating the formal non-agricultural business sector of the South African economy, excluding financial, insurance and government institutions. Quality is a key area of importance in this organisation and therefore methodology and standards need to be monitored, evaluated and reviewed on a regular basis. This would assist in ensuring that Statistics South Africa is following international best practices for collection and estimation of official statistics. We focus on nonresponse for the Annual Financial Statistics survey, and investigate an alternative method for adjusting for nonresponse and in particular focus on improving the method of dealing with nonresponse thereby improving the estimates from the AFS survey.