Household surveys for microcensus

This year, official household surveys, the microcensus, will once again be carried out throughout Germany. 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.

What is asked?

Households are selected according to a standardized random procedure. In Bavaria, around 65,000 households, including around 650 from Erlangen, are surveyed by representatives of the Bavarian State Office for Statistics and Data Processing. In addition to personal details, the questions relate to 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 five consecutive years. The surveys take place all year round.

How are the questions asked?

The selected households are sent a letter by post from the Bavarian State Office for Statistics before the actual survey. In this letter, they are informed about their participation in the microcensus, together with a suggested date for the telephone interview. In addition, each household also has the option of completing the survey form themselves via an online survey. Data protection and confidentiality are fully guaranteed by law.

Who receives the results?

The overall results are published. They are available to politicians, administrators, academics and the media, as well as interested members of the public, on the Internet at www.statistik.bayern.de.