Inhabitants of Bavaria missing post census - post-census issues - What's the current location of the Bavarians?
In a series of legal actions, municipalities across Germany, including Bavaria, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse, have challenged the results of the recent census. The census, a regular inventory of population numbers conducted every ten years based on data from registration offices, has shown discrepancies compared to the municipalities' own records.
The census, which questions approximately 10% of the population about their living situations, is designed to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the nation's population. However, the Federal Statistical Office acknowledges that differences between the census numbers and the numbers obtained by using only the registration offices may occur in individual cases.
These discrepancies can stem from various factors. Data collection methods, population mobility, privacy concerns and non-response, administrative differences, and legal and administrative disputes are among the potential causes. For instance, census data may not capture all residents or include inaccuracies, while registration offices typically rely on more detailed administrative data.
The discrepancies have significant financial implications for the affected municipalities. The funds from the municipal financial equalization are based on the population numbers determined by the census, not those of the registration offices. As a result, a municipality like Emmering near Fürstenfeldbruck, which lost 450 residents according to the census, stands to lose 3.2 million euros over ten years. Half of all Bavarian municipalities lose around 2% of their residents according to the census, with 15 municipalities losing more than 10%.
Municipalities are not allowed to be informed about specific incorrect entries in their registers by the federal authority. Instead, they only receive their new population numbers in the end. This lack of transparency has led to frustration and legal action, with the mayor of Emmering, Stefan Floerecke, filing an objection and a lawsuit with the administrative court.
The Federal Constitutional Court decided in its "census ruling" in 1983 that the Federal Statistical Office may not transmit processed individual data sets to the registration offices of the municipalities. Despite this, the municipalities argue that they should have the right to access and challenge the data that affects their funding and representation.
The Federal Statistical Office treats the data collected during the census as strictly confidential. As the census data is being further developed, with plans to switch to a fully register-based model in the future, it remains to be seen how these disputes will be resolved and whether the discrepancies will continue to impact the affected municipalities.
The municipalities' legal actions against the Federal Statistical Office over the census results originate from the discrepancies between the census numbers and their own records, a matter that lies within the realm of policy-and-legislation and politics, as it pertains to the distribution of funds and representation. The municipalities claim they should have the right to access and challenge the data that affects their funding and representation, a debate that extends into the general-news.
