Germany Launches First Census since Reunification

[Keith Bee]

Source: Der Spiegel

German authorities began the first national census in nearly 25 years on Monday. A team of 80,000 interviewers set out to knock on people's doors as part of a major data collecting operation. Information will be gathered from some 26 million people, roughly a third of Germany's population.

The survey will bring Germany in line with European Union regulations which stipulate that member states should hold a census once every 10 years, a timeframe which is also recommended by the United Nations.

The last time Germany tallied its population was in the era of two Germanys: West Germany carried out a census in 1987 and East Germany conducted one in 1981.

Property owners, occupants of shared premises and a randomly selected 10 percent of the population will be surveyed during the 2011 headcount. People will be questioned on their education, job status and immigration background. Those surveyed are legally obliged to respond, facing a fine of more than €150 ($217) if they don't.

Read more: http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,761497,00.html

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I'm sure the "immigration background" part will go smoothly. :sarcasm: