Why religious affiliation is covered by the census

As religious affiliation is important for people’s life and, not least of all, to understand processes of integration of immigrants and their children, more detailed information is necessary on this issue.

Data on religious affiliation were regularly collected also in the previous population censuses conducted in the Federal Republic of Germany (1950, 1961, 1969 and 1987). The variable “legal affiliation with a religious society under public law” corresponds to the variable available in the population registers. Covering the religious affiliation in the household sample survey allows to check the quality of the register data.

Adherence to a religion is also covered to obtain information on other communities of faith and world religions. The survey is important to understand processes of integration of immigrants and their children.

However, providing such information is voluntary so that no-one is obliged to disclose their convictions against their will.