Press release No. 19 of May 27, 2022

• Almost 6.6 million online questionnaires of the census of buildings and housing answered

• Census hotlines very busy at times

   

WIESBADEN - Just under two weeks after the reference date of the 2022 Census (15 May 2022), people have already completed 6.6 million online questionnaires of the census of buildings and housing. About 400,000 people have filled in the online questionnaire of the household survey. “We are pleased to see that many people have made use especially of the easy and resource-efficient opportunity of online participation in the census”, says Katja Wilken, overall project leader of the 2022 Census at the Federal Statistical Office.

Almost 7 million online questionnaires have already been received within a period of just under three weeks
The letters on the census of buildings and housing were sent to the owners or managers of residential buildings and dwellings in several waves between 9 and 27 May (about 23 million letters). Since mid May, interviewers have been active all over Germany announcing their visit to households at randomly selected addresses (10.3 million persons) and all residential establishments (300,000 persons) and conducting personal interviews. “In a period of about three weeks, we have received a total of almost 7 million online questionnaires”, Katja Wilken explains. “This is a very good start of the 2022 Census.”

Census hotlines and website very busy
The statistical offices of the Federation and the Länder have set up special telephone hotlines for questions on the census. People may use the census hotlines to ask questions to the staff. Since the letters were sent and interview dates announced, a very large number of calls have been received by the service hotlines at the statistical offices of the Länder and the Federal Statistical Office. “We see that the people are very interested in the census. Last week, up to 3,000 calls per day were answered by the service hotline of the Federal Statistical Office alone”, Katja Wilken reports. “We would therefore kindly ask you for patience if you don’t get through immediately. Please try again later or ask your questions by using our contact form at www.zensus2022.de/contact.“

Appreciation for widespread participation in the census
Katja Wilken explicitly thanks people who have already answered questions in the 2022 Census: “Every single completed questionnaire counts. All of you make an important contribution so that we get up-to-date and reliable population and housing data for Germany.”

Important note: If you wish to use a paper questionnaire, you will find every relevant information on the letter you have received.
Further information on the 2022 Census and pictures for reproduction are provided at www.zensus2022.de. There you will also find sample questionnaires (in German) of the 2022 Census surveys. If you are interested, we will be pleased to find you interview partners to discuss census issues.

Follow us on www.twitter.com/zensus2022!

For further information: www.zensus2022.de/contact