- Halle doubts census numbers and starts his own count
Following the results of the 2022 census, which revealed a population decrease in Halle, the city is now taking action and inviting citizens to participate. "I believe the census numbers are not credible," said Halle's mayor, Egbert Geier (SPD). According to the census, only 226,586 people live in Halle, about six percent less than initially assumed. However, the registration office lists 243,453 inhabitants.
"Halle (Saale) counts itself"
To prove this, the city is now launching its own population census through a full survey, explained Geier. The initiative "Halle (Saale) counts itself" aims to show that the municipal registration office can be trusted and that the census's statistically calculated, 6.93 percent lower population is unrealistic.
The finance committee of the city council will vote on the funding of this project on August 20. If approved, the city will start contacting all registered inhabitants by letter at the end of August. The number of undeliverable letters and their verification will determine a very accurate number of people registered in Halle with their main residence and actually reachable. Citizens do not need to take any action upon receiving the letters.
Financial impacts of the census results
The background of these measures is the impact of the latest census results on the financial equalization for Saxony-Anhalt's municipalities. The 2022 census showed that almost 40,000 fewer people live in Saxony-Anhalt than previously assumed. If this number is confirmed, Halle faces permanent annual income losses of around 15 million euros.
For the 2024 financial equalization, the population numbers based on the 2011 census will still be used. The newly collected numbers will only influence the financial equalization for Saxony-Anhalt's municipalities from 2025 onwards. For the coming year, Halle expects allocations from the state's financial equalization law of around 289.6 million euros.
The financial equalization law regulates the financial relationships between the state and the municipalities with the aim of ensuring a fair distribution of funds and avoiding disadvantages.
The city's initiative, "Halle (Saale) counts itself," challenges the 6.93% decline in population reported by the census, as it finds the number of registered inhabitants to be higher at 243,453. The city council's finance committee is set to vote on funding for this project on August 20, aiming to present a more accurate population count and potentially mitigate the predicted annual income losses of approximately 15 million euros due to the decline in population.
