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Germany Launches 2026 Mikrozensus as Invitation Letters Go Out Nationwide

The legally required survey samples about 1% of residents to support policymaking plus EU reporting.

Overview

  • State statistical offices have begun mailing notices, including roughly 65,000 households in Bavaria, 62,000 in Baden-Württemberg and 80,000 in North Rhine-Westphalia.
  • About 810,000 people—around 1% of the population—have been selected by random sampling for this year’s survey.
  • Participation is compulsory under Paragraph 13 of the Mikrozensusgesetz, with possible fines or coercive fines for refusal.
  • The sample questionnaire spans roughly 130 pages with more than 200 questions covering family, work, income, housing and internet use.
  • Households can respond via home or telephone interviews, an online form or a paper questionnaire, and may be recontacted during the year after the January start.