- Halle initiates a self-conducted population count in September
After the conclusions of the 2022 Census revealing a population decrease in Halle, the city is scheduled to initiate its own population count starting September 2nd. The city authorities have revealed that they will contact all residents with a primary residence via mail. The process of identifying and handling undeliverable letters and their verification aims to provide the city with a "precise tally" of the registered and present residents in Halle. The City Council's Finance Committee had previously approved a budget of approximately 150,000 euros for the city's initiative, titled "Halle (Saale) counts itself!".
Possible financial setbacks for Halle
"I'm relieved that the committee members supported our proposal," stated Mayor Egbert Geier (SPD). He questions the credibility of the 2022 Census figures. Based on the Zensus statistical analysis, only 226,586 individuals are residing in Halle, which translates to a decrease of around six percent compared to initial estimations. However, the registration office records list 243,453 residents. If the lower Zensus figures remain valid, the city might experience persistent annual revenue losses of approximately 15 million euros. The objective of this initiative is to establish the authentic population count through a comprehensive census.
Mayor Geier held a meeting in The Hall to discuss the potential financial implications of the population decrease. The city's revenue collection must be adjusted according to the revised population estimates, which will primarily affect the use of resources in The Hall.
