Resistance to Hessian population: Municipalities make an objection!

Resistance to Hessian population: Municipalities make an objection!

In Hesse, there is resistance to the population figures published on the basis of the census 2022. Currently, 39 out of 421 municipalities have lodged objection to the official findings of their population. Affected cities such as Gießen, Hanau and Fulda fear considerable financial losses. These objections are currently being examined and a decision is expected by the end of March 2025. The census 2022, which was carried out in May 2022, showed that the Hessian population with around 6.21 million people was 2.6 percent lower than earlier estimates based on the 2011 census.

The first shipping of the notices to determine the population to the municipalities was completed in November 2024. This makes it clear that the corrections became necessary, since many municipalities are now affected by lower population. These deviations can have far-reaching consequences, since cities like Hanau, whose population is just under 94,000, could lose their city status. From 100,000 inhabitants, the city would have received more financial resources from municipal financial equalization and EU funding.

background of the census data

The causes of the different numbers are diverse. Refugee movements, registration deficits and effects of corona pandemic play a significant role. The census 2022 is part of an EU-wide round of census and is considered legally prescribed. Germany relied on a register -assisted census to determine realistic population. This approach was confirmed in 2018 by the Federal Constitutional Court in a judgment.

The disparities between the registration register and the results of the census are often related to over or lower versions. Until February 28, 2025, the Hessian municipalities have the opportunity to submit reasons for their objection. At the same time, the Hessian State Statistical Office is reviewing the objections and will respond to the objections by the end of March 2025.

The future of population figures

The result of the census 2022 has far -reaching implications for the population update in Hesse. So far, these estimates have been based on the information from the registry offices and registration authorities, which are now considered inaccurate. The population figures that will be determined by December 31, 2024 are expected to be published in June 2025. In view of the current data, it is clear that it is necessary to revise the population update in order to create future foundations for municipal financing decisions.

For more information about the results of the census 2022 and the associated developments, interested parties can be interested in the Hessian statistics href = "https://statistik.hessen.de/presse/aktuelles-zum-zum-2022-in-hessen"> Visit the Federal Statistical Office