Press release No. 25 of July 25, 2022

• A total 20.3 million responses have already been received in the census
• Rate of responses received to the census of buildings and housing at roughly 74%

• 2.7 million questionnaires have already been answered in the household survey

   

   

WIESBADEN - The census reference date was two months ago, on 15 May 2022. Surveying over 30 million people all over Germany, either online or in personal interviews, started on that day. A total of 20.3 million responses have already been received in the 2022 Census.

As many as 20.3 million questionnaires have been completed two months after the reference date
The overall response rate in the census of buildings and housing is already just under 74% two months after the start. Response rates in the Länder range between 62% and 79%. The owners of residential space contacted all over Germany (roughly 23 million people obliged to provide information) have completed 17.6 million questionnaires so far. Data collection for the census of buildings and housing will be finished in November 2022.
A minimum of another 2.7 million people have completed the questionnaire of the household survey. The real number of responses is estimated to be markedly higher, which is due to the two-stage procedure (first personal interview, then online/paper questionnaire). Data collection from households will be finished in mid August. For a small number of the households already surveyed, a follow-up survey is conducted in parallel to the main survey and will be finished in early November 2022.

Roughly 100,000 interviewers have held personal interviews for two months all over Germany
Interviewers visit households personally in the household survey to determine who exactly lives at the addresses selected at random. In addition, interviewers can provide help and answer questions. Roughly three quarters of the respondents answer additional questions, preferably by online questionnaire, after the personal interview.

A large part of the responses to the census can thus be given in an online questionnaire, which is easy, quick and resource-efficient. “We get much positive feedback via the social media. People tell us that completing the online questionnaire is intuitive, quick and easy”, says Katja Wilken, overall project leader of the 2022 Census at the Federal Statistical Office. “This is also shown by the high response rates. Two months after the surveys started, we see very good progress in the 2022 Census.”

People give positive feedback on the census
The interviewers and the municipal survey offices may be contacted for organisational questions on the personal interviews such as postponing visits. “The interviewers make a major contribution to the 2022 Census,” says Katja Wilken, overall project leader of the census at the Federal Statistical Office. “From many people we have received positive feedback on the short and kind personal contact with the interviewers.”

Further information on the 2022 Census and pictures for reproduction are provided www.zensus2022.de. There you will also find sample questionnaires of the 2022 Census surveys (in German). 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