Inhabitants' whereabouts causing concern: Municipalities express dissatisfaction over census figures - "Inhabitants' Locations Revealed"
In an unprecedented move, the picturesque East Frisian Islands' town of Norderney has filed a lawsuit against the state statistical office, contesting the official population count determined in the recent census. The dispute, which has sparked 62 lawsuits from municipalities across the state, revolves around the accuracy and methodology of the census data, particularly in tourist-oriented communities like Norderney.
The town hall in Norderney finds no reasonable explanation for the discrepancy between the census data and the municipal registers. According to the census, the official population of Norderney was set at 5,367, a difference of around 13% from the 6,138 residents registered in the municipal records. Similarly, on Spiekeroog, around 25% of the previously around 800 residents seem to have disappeared according to the census data.
The Association of Cities and Municipalities, which represents Norderney, criticises the census, stating that it contradicts local registration offices and is a "black box". The association acknowledges that many municipalities, not just island municipalities, are affected by the census issues. In the state capital of Hannover, the census determined a population that is 5% lower than previously.
The Ministry of the Interior and the State Statistical Office, however, maintain that the census data is accurate, citing extensive scientific testing for data security and quality. They attribute the deviations in the data to diverse and regionally pronounced reasons, such as gaps between census and registration data in holiday regions.
Marco Trips, the association president, demands future censuses to be based primarily on municipal registration offices and not on individual surveyors' methodology. He argues that the current methodology, particularly the "unusually high sampling rate" used on the islands, is flawed and results in undercounting or misreporting population figures.
The population count obtained through the census is crucial for municipalities, affecting political and social plans, council sizes, and financial allocations. If the discrepancies are not resolved, the affected municipalities could face significant challenges in planning and budgeting for the future.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the municipalities and the state statistical office will need to work together to find a solution that ensures accurate and reliable census data for all communities across the state.
- The Association of Cities and Municipalities, including Norderney, deems the census policy-and-legislation questionable, as it contradicts local registration offices and may lead to inaccurate population counts, impacting community aid, development of less-favored regions, and general news.
- Marco Trips, the association president, advocates for future censuses to be based on municipal registration offices, as he believes the current methodology, particularly the high sampling rate used in certain regions like islands, politics may result in undercounting or misreporting population figures, affecting the development of these communities.
