In the 1980s, many people associated a census with the step towards a transparent citizen and surveillance state. These concerns appear to have disappeared in the 2022 census. The statisticians speak of a gratifyingly high response, at least for the building census.
Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) – The State Statistical Office draws a positive interim balance for the census of buildings and apartments running in the course of the census. With 2.4 million letters sent so far, more than 1.1 million online forms have been returned. “This response rate of 47 percent is more than expected – we are happy about it,” said the authority’s census expert, Alexander Grund, of the German Press Agency in Stuttgart. The high response in a short period of time shows that the census, which has been running since mid-May, is widely accepted by the population.
The survey hotline has so far answered more than 35,000 calls. The question of a paper questionnaire is often asked, as Grund said. This will be sent automatically with a reminder to the owners. Those who can only answer on a paper questionnaire have to wait for the reminder letter. Many citizens wanted to report a change of ownership by telephone. According to the state office, this can be done easily using the online questionnaire.
According to Grund, the household surveys on people’s living and working conditions are also in full swing. However, since these are organized by the 103 survey offices in the municipalities, the state office cannot provide any information on their status.
