Household surveys for microcensus

Authorized household surveys, the microcensus, will again be conducted throughout Germany this year. The purpose of this representative survey, which has been conducted annually since 1957, is to obtain up-to-date data on the economic and social situation of the population.

The selection of households to be surveyed is carried out according to a nationwide random procedure. In Bavaria, about 60,000 households, including about 600 from Erlangen, are surveyed by agents of the Bavarian State Office for Statistics and Data Processing. In addition to personal information, the questions cover other topics such as the economic and social situation of the respondents. According to the Microcensus Act, the majority of the questions must be answered for up to four consecutive years. The surveys take place throughout the year, with each household being surveyed only once a year.

The selected households are sent a letter from the Bavarian State Office for Statistics prior to the actual survey. In this letter, they are informed about their participation in the microcensus, together with a proposed date for the telephone interview.
In addition to the telephone interview, each household also has the option of completing the survey questionnaire itself and sending it by mail to the State Statistical Office in Fürth. Participation is also possible as an online survey.

Data protection and confidentiality are comprehensively guaranteed by law, according to a statement from the State Statistical Office. The overall results are published and are available to politics, administration, science and media, but also interested citizens on the Internet.