Microcensus 2026: 130,000 Bavarians in focus – this is how the survey works!

Microcensus 2026: 130,000 Bavarians in focus – this is how the survey works!

In 2026, the microcensus will take place in Bavaria, a comprehensive survey that deals with the economic and social situation of the population. Around 130,000 randomly selected citizens from all over Bavaria, including the city of Sulzbach-Rosenberg, will be surveyed. This survey, carried out by Bavarian State Office for Statistics will begin in January and run until December 2026.

Participation in this annual survey is legally mandatory for the selected households. A total of around 65,000 households will be randomly addressed and informed in writing. The respondents are selected in such a way that a comprehensive picture of the living conditions in Bavaria can be created tz.de.

Survey methods and topics

The survey takes place either via telephone interviews or online. The Bavarian State Office for Statistics emphasizes that all data collected will be treated confidentially and evaluated anonymously. The topics of the microcensus range from family and education to work and health to questions about social participation and housing conditions. The economic situation of households is also asked.

The microcensus is an important tool because it provides statistical data that is important for political decisions in areas such as work, family, pensions and social issues. While around 1% of the Bavarian population is surveyed every year, the microcensus is not the census, which is carried out every ten years and represents a more comprehensive survey of the population.

Statistical relevance and trained survey officers

Around 130 trained survey officers will be deployed in Bavaria to carry out the surveys. The results of the survey are published in aggregate form to avoid drawing conclusions about individuals. The long-standing tradition of the microcensus, which has existed since 1957, makes it the largest annual household survey of official statistics in Germany.

Additional information about the survey is provided in the cover letters from the Bavarian State Office that are sent to the selected households. The statistics from the microcensus help to create a reliable basis for political work and administration in Bavaria.