1.1. Contact organisation
Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis)
1.2. Contact organisation unit
F35 Mikrozensus – Methodik und Aufbereitung SILC und IKT
1.3. Contact name
Restricted from publication1.4. Contact person function
Restricted from publication1.5. Contact mail address
Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis)
Zweigstelle Bonn
Graurheindorfer Straße 198
53117 Bonn
1.6. Contact email address
Restricted from publication1.7. Contact phone number
Restricted from publication1.8. Contact fax number
Restricted from publication2.1. Metadata last certified
11 December 20242.2. Metadata last posted
13 February 20262.3. Metadata last update
13 February 20263.1. Data description
The EU survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals is an annual survey conducted since 2002. In Germany, it has been conducted since 2002.
In 2024, the survey collects data on the access to information and communication technologies (ICT), on the use of the internet, e-government, Internet of things, Green ICT as well as e-commerce.
3.1.1. Survey name in national and English languages
National language: Mikrozensus 2024 - Kernprogramm und Erhebungsteil zur Internetnutzung
English: Microcensus 2024 - Core programme and survey component relating to internet use
Questionnaire(s) in national language(s) and the translation in English are available in the Annex of this report.
3.2. Classification system
The following common concepts and definitions apply under the Integrated European Social Statistics (IESS):
- the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) 2011 published in the following breakdowns: low (ISCED levels 0-2: no formal education, primary education or lower secondary education), medium (ISCED levels 3-4: upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education) and high (ISCED levels 5-6: tertiary programmes which normally need a successful completion of ISCED 3 or 4, or second-stage tertiary education leading to an advanced research qualification);
- the International Standard Classification for Occupation ISCO-08 at the 2-digit level;
- the Classification of Economic Activities (NACE Rev.2-2008), at section level;
- the 2024 Common classification of territorial units for statistics (NUTS 1) – finer granularity of NUTS 2 is provided on optional basis by some Member states (not: DE);
- the SCL - Geographical code list;
- information about household income is provided at lower level of detail.
Additional classifications used in the national questionnaire: None
3.3. Coverage - sector
The ICT survey in households and by individuals covers those households having at least one member in the age group 16 to 74 years old. Internet access of households refers to the percentage of households that have an internet access, so that anyone in the household could use the internet.
3.3.1. Differences in scope at national level
No deviations in scope
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The survey is collecting data of internet users, individuals who have used the internet in the three months prior to the survey.
This annual survey is used to benchmark ICT-driven developments, both by following developments for core variables over time and by looking in greater depth at other aspects at a specific point in time. While the survey initially concentrated on access and connectivity issues, its scope has subsequently been extended to cover a variety of subjects (for example, the use of internet, e-government, eID, and e-commerce, e-skills and privacy and protection of personal data) and socio-economic analysis (such as regional diversity, gender specificity, differences in age, education and the employment situation). The scope of the survey with respect to different technologies is also adapted so as to cover new product groups and means of delivering communication technologies to end-users.
For more details on the methodology applicable in each survey year, please consult the Compiler's Manual for the respective year.
Deviations from standard ICT concepts: None.
3.5. Statistical unit
Households and Individuals
3.6. Statistical population
In the ICT usage survey, the target population for the different statistical units is:
- individuals: all individuals aged 16 to 74;
- households: all (private) households at main residence with at least one member aged 16 to 74.
Target population composed of households and/or individuals:
- Number of households: 36 190 741
- Number of individuals: 62 318 375
3.6.1. Non-compulsory age groups
Non-compulsory age groups also included in the target population:
|
|
No |
Yes |
Age scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals younger than 16? |
X |
|
|
| Individuals older than 74? |
X |
|
|
3.6.2. Population not covered by the data collection
| Non-target population (the difference between the total population and the target population) |
Households | Individuals |
|---|---|---|
| Approximate number of units outside the general scope of the survey (e.g. individuals younger than 16 or older than 74; households with all members over 74 years old). | 5.4 million | 22.4 million |
| Estimate of the resulting percentage of under-coverage (non-covered population compared to the total country), if applicable | 13.0% | 26.4% |
Households:
The total number of households of Germany is about 41.6 million households.
The Non-target groups consist of about 5.4 million households, they comprise all households ...
- without members aged between 16 years and 74 years,
- not living at main residence.
The resulting percentage of under-coverage (non-covered number of households compared to the total country) is about 13.0 %.
Persons:
The total population of Germany is about 84.7 million persons.
The Non-target population consists of about 22.4 million persons, it comprises all persons ...
- younger than 16 years or older than 74 years,
- not living at main residence,
- living in institutions.
The resulting percentage of under-coverage (non-covered population compared to the total country) is about 26.4 %.
3.7. Reference area
The data refer to the whole territory of Germany.
All 16 Federal States are covered: Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Niedersachsen, Bremen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Hessen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Saarland, Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Thüringen.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Year 2024
3.9. Base period
Not applicable
Percentages of ‘Households’ and Percentages of ‘Individuals’
For most questions the reference period is the last three months before the interview. Questions in the modules on e-government refer to the 'last year' before the interview.
Deviation from this assertion: None.
5.1. Survey period
04 March 2024 - 14 June 2024
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The legal basis for the 2024 EU survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals is the Regulation (EU) 2019/1700 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 October 2019 establishing a common framework for European statistics relating to persons and households, based on data at individual level collected from samples (OJ L 261 I, 14 October 2019, p. 1), as implemented by the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1484 of 18 July 2023 specifying the technical items of the data set, establishing the technical formats for transmission of information and specifying the detailed arrangements and content of the quality reports on the organisation of a sample survey in the use of information and communication technologies domain for reference year 2023 in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1700 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 182, 19 July 2023, pp. 100-149) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1797 of 7 July 2023 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1700 of the European Parliament and of the Council by specifying the number and titles of the variables for the use of information and communication technologies statistics domain for the reference year 2024 (OJ L 233, 21 September 2023).
Complementary national legislation constituting the legal basis for the survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals:
German microcensus law of 7 December 2016: The up-to-date wording of the relevant national legal act can be found at Mikrozensusgesetz - MZG (available only in German language).
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
The Federal Statistics Law (BStatG) regulates the cooperation and the exchange of data between the Federal Statistical Office and the State Statistical Offices.
See here for the German language BStatG version.
The up-to-date wording of the relevant national legal provisions can be found at Gesetze im Internet (search for terms "Bundesstatistikgesetz" or "BStatG").
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
The individual data collected are always kept confidential in accordance with Section 16 of the Federal Statistics Act (BStatG).
Individual data may be passed on only in exceptional cases explicitly regulated by law. Individual data may always be transmitted to:
- public agencies and institutions within the official statistics network which are entrusted with the production of Federal or European statistics (e.g. the Statistical Offices of the Länder, the Deutsche Bundesbank, the Statistical Office of the European Union [Eurostat]),
- service providers with whom a contractual relationship exists (e.g. Federal Information Technology Centre (ITZBund), computer centres of the Länder).
Pursuant to Section 16 (6) of the Federal Statistics Act, institutions of higher education or other institutions tasked with independent scientific research may, for the purpose of carrying out scientific projects, be provided
- with individual data if attributing the anonymised individual data to the relevant respondents or persons concerned requires unreasonable effort in terms of time, cost and manpower (de facto anonymised individual data),
- with access to individual data not including name and address (formally anonymised individual data) within specially protected areas of the Federal Statistical Office and the statistical offices of the Länder, if effective measures are in place to safeguard confidentiality.
Persons receiving individual data are also obliged to maintain confidentiality.
The first names and surnames of the household members, the contact details of the household members, residential address, location of the dwelling in the building, first name and surname of the main tenant/owner-occupier of the dwelling, name and address of the household members‘ places of work, and the building age group are auxiliary variables which will only be used for the technical conduct of the survey. As soon as the survey and auxiliary variables have been checked for conclusiveness and completeness, the auxiliary variables will be separated from the information on the survey variables and will be kept separately or stored separately
- Pursuant to Section 14 (5), first sentence, of the Microcensus Act, the first names and surnames and the municipality, street, house number and contact details of the persons surveyed may also be used with regard to household relationships to conduct follow-up surveys in accordance with Section 5 (1) of the Microcensus Act.
- Pursuant to Section 14 (5), second sentence, of the Microcensus Act, the information on the variables pursuant to Section 14 (5), first sentence, of the Microcensus Act may also be used as a basis for recruiting suitable persons and households to conduct household budget surveys and other voluntary surveys.
Information on the survey variables is processed and stored for as long as necessary to comply with the legal obligations. All survey documents as well as the auxiliary variables and the reference numbers originally allocated will be destroyed or deleted after the processing of the last follow-up survey has been finished.
Dissemination of results (publication rules):
Annual results based on a value of less than 71 observations in the sample are replaced by a slash ("/") in published microcensus tables due to the size of their relative standard error (on average over 15%) and the associated low informative value. With 71 to 119 sample observations, the results are shown in brackets because of the greater uncertainty (relative standard error between 10% and 15%).
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
An EU micro data file (EU scientific use file Germany) will be made available by Eurostat, after approval and permission provided by the German FSO.
The German scientific use microdata files suppress NUTS 1 data and aggregate household size classes with 6 or more household members into one size class 6+.
8.1. Release calendar
There is no special release calendar for the statistical outputs of this survey, but there is a publicly available short-term release calendar for all of the FSO's press releases being released in the following week.
8.2. Release calendar access
All statistical products from this survey can be derived from the official website of the German FSO. See topic Income, consumption and living conditions/Use of information technologies.
A weekly preview of all planned press releases of the FSO for the next calendar week is available on the FSO's website.
8.3. Release policy - user access
As soon as the results are final, they are released by the German FSO via different channels, e.g. press releases, internet content, series/tables.
The FSO's policy provides for the dissemination of statistical data to all users at the same time.
As concerns press releases, the FSO informs the Federal Statistical State Offices about the topic and the content some days in advance.
As concerns the public, the FSO presents a short-term release calendar, i.e. a weekly preview of all planned press releases for the next calendar week on the FSO's website.
Annual
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Press releases are regularly published as soon as final results are available.
A press release with first results of the 2024 survey was published on 28 November 2024: 83 % der 16- bis 74-Jährigen kaufen online ein (in German language only).
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
A Statistical Report (.xlsx file; in German language only) "Statistischer Bericht. Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien privater Haushalte (Mikrozensus-Unterstichprobe - IKT). Endergebnis 2024" on the results of the 2024 ICT survey was published on 28 November 2024. This report covers not only results tables but also methodological information on the ICT survey, and it also makes particular reference to the National data base Genesis Online, where the ICT survey results can be found. To access the report, please follow theme "Gesellschaft und Umwelt/Einkommen, Konsum und Lebensbedingungen/IT-Nutzung" on the Destatis website and click on "Publikationen" in the left column.
Standard tables with all Federal results of the survey (i.e. results for Germany as a whole) are sent to customers by the FSO on request.
The most relevant results of the survey can also be accessed in internet table format (in English language) on the Destatis website.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Results of the ICT 2024 survey were published in the National data base Genesis Online on November 28, 2024.
Results of previous years can also be found there. (You may also select theme 1 Territory, population, labour market, elections/12 Population/122 Microcensus/12231 ICT usage in households and then go directly to the ICT indicators.)
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Information not available.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
An EU micro data file (EU scientific use file Germany) will be made available by Eurostat, after approval and permission of the German FSO.
The construction of national scientific use files from 2022 onwards is currently under way in the German FSO.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
From time to time, the results are disseminated via press conferences covering various topics, among them ICT-related topics.
At irregular intervals, ICT results are also included in cross-sectional publications, e.g. in the Sozialbericht 2024 (German language only).
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Information not available.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
German FSO website online information Redesigned microcensus as of 2020 (in English language).
Scientific article "Die Neuregelung des Mikrozensus ab 2020" on the new microcensus system (in German language with an abstract in English language).
December 2019 issue, released on 16 December 2019.
Scientific article "Die Hochrechnung im Mikrozensus ab 2020" on methodological issues (e.g. grossing up) in the German microcensus from 2020 on (in German language with an abstract in English language).
December 2021 issue, released on 14 December 2021.
Besides various IT specific manuals, there are mainly the following manuals for the Federal States and for the interviewers (all in German language; not publicly accessible via internet; attached here as Annex files):
- File Introduction_to_the_microcensus_survey_de.pdf
- File Preparation_of_the_microcensus_survey_de.pdf
- File Instructions_for_visiting_the_selected_microcensus_districts_de.pdf
- File Instructions_and_Explanations_on_the_questionnaires_de.pdf
Annexes:
Introduction to the microcensus survey (in national language only)
Preparation of the microcensus operation (in national language only)
Instructions for visiting the selected microcensus districts (in national language only)
Instructions and Explanations on the questionnaires (in national language only)
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
100%
10.7. Quality management - documentation
All national quality reports of this survey (in German language only) are available on the FSO's website. (Tick theme "Qualitätsberichte" on the left grey column.)
11.1. Quality assurance
Procedures to promote general quality management principles in the FSO:
The quality manual of the Federal and State Statistical Offices describes the framework for ensuring data quality in German official statistics. It informs users of statistical data (e.g. from the ministries, associations, science or the public) about management to ensure the quality of statistical results. In addition, it serves the employees of the Statistical Offices of the Federal and State governments as well as other bodies in Germany, which compile official statistics, as a guide.
The quality manual (German language) and more information on the FSO's quality guidelines are available on the FSO's website.
Quality assurance framework applied for the survey:
There are several training courses for interviewers as for internal staff responsible for the operation, both in the FSO and in the Federal Statistical State Offices.
The entire production process of the German official microcensus including the different subsamples like the ICT survey is constantly monitored and subject to close-knit business controlling in the FSO.
Meeting EU deadlines for data delivery and for reporting are also subject to the FSO's internal controlling. Developing optimization measures are a constant part of the ongoing work.
Meetings with national data users on core aspects of the German microcensus such as data quality and user's needs are to follow soon in the next years.
Implemented and planned improvements:
- The FSO has been working on further reduction of burden by further streamlining and simplifying the entire microcensus questionnaire. For that purpose, it has continued its work in the internal working group specifically responsible for the further development of the microcensus. This body of experts deals, among other things, with planned legal measures/changes and methodological issues. It constantly works on optimizing the microcensus.
- Electronic data collection modes: The quality/validity and the user-friendliness of the questionnaires, which are offered to the respondents in electronic form, are constantly being further developed.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The new integrated German microcensus entered into force in 2020, whereas the ICT subsample joined that system in 2021. The whole microcensus system is still constantly further developed and assessed.
As concerns the ICT subsample 2024, the overall statistical output data quality is seen as very satisfactory. The net sample size that could be achieved is sufficient and serves well for fulfilling the EU precision requirements. The indicators produced from the ICT survey 2024 seem very plausible to the FSO, as concerns the whole territory of Germany. One weakness of the survey is that the total sample size does not allow more detailed breakdown results for small Federal States (e.g. Bremen, Saarland, Rheinland-Pfalz): the case numbers in detailed breakdowns are usually too low to enable those Federal States to publish much of the survey's output. For German and EU policy data users, the output of the survey is highly important. The data were finalized right in time and were delivered to the EU in September 2024. The first results were published on 28 November 2024 (press release and internet tables). The results for Germany as a whole are comparable across the EU. Compared to previous survey years, the German results of the ICT survey 2024 are also comparable with the 2021, 2022 and 2023 survey results. They are of limited comparability with earlier survey years up to 2020, due to the fundamental system change that took effect from 2021.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The main purpose of the microcensus is to provide detailed statistical information on the population structure and the economic and social situation of the population and to fulfil European data delivery obligations.
Another purpose of the microcensus is to fill the data gap between two censuses. A series of smaller surveys of empirical social and opinion research as well as official statistics uses the microcensus as an extrapolation, adjustment and control instrument.
The results of the microcensus and its subsamples (LFS, SILC, ICT) provide essential input for the German social policy and digitalization policy.
Main data users: Parliament, ministries, scientific institutions, social partners, the European Commission (e.g. DG CNCT, JUST, EAC, JRC), Market and Opinion research and the media.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
There are no user satisfaction surveys, but regular consultations and information exchange with relevant Federal Ministries and other bodies of experts of the German governmental administration.
User interests are taken into account in many different ways. The federal and state ministries can directly influence the survey program via the legislative procedure for the microcensus.
Furthermore, the data requirement, for example from science or city statisticians, can be found in the Statistical Advisory Board, at microcensus user conferences and specialist committee meetings.
12.3. Completeness
Mandatory variables (100%): All of the mandatory variables required for transmission have been included in the microdata.
Optional variables (close to 100%): As concerns the individuals data set, all of the optional variables have been included in the microdata. As concerns the household data set, most of the optional variables have been included in the microdata. The only exemptions are the optional sociodemographic breakdowns NUTS2 and NUTS3 which were not provided.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
100%.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Since participation in the survey is voluntary, non-response is a source for errors.
In comparison to the obligatory Microcensus population, slight underreporting can be seen in the expected variable characteristics (non-German citizenship, low and high education, some age groups).
Cluster sampling as it is done in Germany raises the error. On the other hand, the stratification reduces it.
13.2. Sampling error
The sampling error reflects the fact that only a particular sample was surveyed rather than the entire population. It is estimated by the standard error and can be expressed by the square root of the estimate of the sampling variance. The estimation of the sampling variance should ideally take into account the sampling design (e.g. the stratification).
More information on methodology for calculating precision estimates is explained below.
Estimation method(s) for the random variation of an estimator due to sampling: Taylor linearization
Tools used to estimate sampling errors: ETOS (further development of CLAN)
Sampling error – calculation methods for the variance estimation (SE): The variance of the weighted total of the variable Y is estimated by the standard variance formula of stratified sampling. But instead of using the value yk of the variable of interest Y for unit k, the weighted residuals zk are considered.
Methods used to assess the standard errors take into account the following specific effects:
• Implicit stratification: Stratified sample. Error estimation sums over all strata.
• Calibration: Using variance formula on weighted residuals.
References:
• Literature on error estimation:
Andersson, C. (2012). ETOS 2.0 User’s guide. Statistics Sweden.
Qualitätsbericht Mikrozensus 2018 (see Anhang B).
• Literature on sampling:
Bihler, Wolf/Zimmermann, Daniel. Die neue Mikrozensusstichprobe ab 2016. In: WISTA Wirtschaft und Statistik. Issue 6/2016, page 20 ff.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Precision estimates for the question "Individuals having ordered goods or services for private use over the internet in the last 12 months"
(individuals who ticked 'Within the last 3 months' or 'Between 3 months and a year ago' in question D1 of the 2022 model questionnaire):
Number of respondents (absolute value for ‘Yes’ answers): 10367
Estimated proportion (in %): 77.9
Standard error (in percentage points): 0.41
Details of the breakdowns are available in document Standard errors – Mandatory – Optional questions_DE – 2024 in the Annex of this report.
13.3. Non-sampling error
See more details on non-sampling error below.
13.3.1. Coverage error
A register of all dwellings surveyed during the 2011 census formed the sampling frame for the new microcensus sample from 2016. The sample is updated each year by the sampling of new building permits. A small under-coverage of homeless or people not registered and encountered at their dwelling can be assumed but is hard to quantify. On the other hand, people with several residences have a higher probability to be sampled and are therefore over-covered. Likewise the extent has not been quantified. (For the ICT-survey, persons registered as living at their second residence are excluded, due to the defined EU scope).
As the microcensus is a decentralised statistics in Germany, the Federal Statistical Offices of the regions (Federal Statistical State Offices, i.e. the statistical offices of the German "Länder") are conducting the survey. Oftentimes, the survey population at an address is crosschecked with the population register in order to minimize under-coverage.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable. Sampling is done at the level of areas, not at the level of households/persons.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not requested in the ICT survey.
13.3.2. Measurement error
1) Measurement errors:
Measurement errors can result at all levels of the statistics production. Main sources of such systematic errors that may have occurred in this survey are:
- deficits of the questionnaire design or instructions given to respondents;
- interviewers' weaknesses in understanding or in conducting the interview;
- incorrect information provided by respondents and/or by interviewers;
- data entry errors;
- errors in IT programmes (data entry, data processing).
2) Questionnaire design and testing:
A. Designing the questionnaire is a long-lasting process within the FSO, including the Federal Statistical State Offices, ministries and national bodies of expert. In concrete terms, it covers mainly:
- Translation of the English language model questionnaire and adaption to a national language questionnaire (including elaboration of and search for national examples and instructions for respondents);
- Fitting the national ICT questionnaire into the broader microcensus system questionnaire, differentiating between mandatory microcensus core parts (covering e.g. the sociodemographic questions) and voluntary ICT subsample parts;
- Consultations with relevant ministries and bodies of expert on special content and implementation issues;
- Designing/adapting the national questionnaire to different collection modes (CAPI, CATI, CAWI, PAPI);
- Translating the national questionnaire into an English language national questionnaire (for foreign language respondents);
- Establishing the documentation parts on legal bases and legal review of the national questionnaire (FSO's legal department);
- Consulting the Federal Statistical State Offices in order to coordinate and adopt the final national questionnaire;
- Designing the paper version (PAPI) of the finalized national questionnaire with a special, FSO-wide standardized software application (InDesign).
B. Testing of the electronic mode questionnaire(s) by the FSO and by the Federal Statistical State Offices:
Errors arising from the multi-mode data collection are reduced as much as possible by intense tests before the application is released. In addition, efficient filtering controls and plausibility checks are applied in the electronic modes.
3) Interviewer training:
After the COVID-19 pandemic, less CAPI interviews than before the pandemic were personally undertaken, but rather done via telephone (CATI) instead. Furthermore, the use of CAWI mode is increasing over time.
During preparation of the survey, the interviewers received intensive training, carried out by the Federal Statistical State Offices. The Federal Statistical State Offices themselves had also received special training and explanatory documentation by the FSO. In addition, various documentation (manuals) were elaborated by the FSO and made available for the Federal Statistical State Offices and the interviewers recruited by them.
These documents are attached as Annexes under sub-item 10.6.
4) Proxy interview rates:
Number of Proxy Interviews: 2 251
Number of all interviews: 13 820
Share Proxy/Total: 16.3%
13.3.3. Non response error
Information about non-respondents:
Main characteristics of non-respondents: Non-response (eligible cases) occurs to a somewhat greater extent when the following characteristics are given:
- increasing household size,
- increasing number of children in household,
- decreasing educational status,
- young and middle-aged persons (<50 years old),
- students/pupils, housewives/housemen, persons fulfilling domestic tasks.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
The unit non-response rate is the ratio of the number of in-scope non-respondents (= number of rejected interviews) to the number of eligible elements selected from the sampling frame.
Unit non-response rate for
- Households: 47.3%
- Individuals (aged 16-74): 54.2%
13.3.3.1.1. Unit non-response – sample sizes
| Number of households | Number of individuals | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (aged 16-74) | (< 16) | (> 74) | ||
| Gross sample [A] The number of households/individuals initially selected from the sampling frame (if not applicable, indicate why below the table) |
24 871 * | |||
| Ineligible: out-of-scope [B] For example, when a selected household is not in the target population because all members are over 75 years old or when no dwelling exists at the selected address, or a selected individual has died between the reference data of the sampling frame at the moment of the interview. |
7 296 | |||
| Number of eligible elements [C] Gross sample size corrected of the ineligible cases |
17 575 | 30 170 | ||
| Net sample size or final sample [D] The net sample size (or final sample) corresponds to the number of households/individuals that can be used in the final database. |
9 263 | 13 820 | ||
| Unit response rate [E] = [D] / [C] The unit response rate is the ratio of the number of in-scope respondents (= the number of achieved interviews or the net sample size) to the number of eligible elements selected from the sampling frame. |
52.7 | 45.8 | ||
Comments, if any:
* Sampling is based on areas, not on households. Hence the gross sample is an estimate.
13.3.3.1.2. Unit non-response – methods, minimization and substitution
1) Methods used for dealing with unit non-response: No imputations were made for unit non-response in this survey.
2) Methods used for minimizing unit non-response: The methods used for minimizing unit non-response are mainly:
- Press releases and comprehensive information on the Federal Statistical Offices' websites, prior to start of the survey;
- Selected respondents receive advance notification in the form of a letter;
- Dunning procedure for mandatory parts of the survey (i.e. sociodemographic information and some of the questions belonging to the ICT survey);
- IT-controlled system of reminders (organized upon reference dates/ deadlines);
- Phone-calls, postal reminders;
- Bonus payments for voluntary parts of the survey;
- Brochures, FSO website explanatory video and other material showing the respondents how the data are used;
- Intensive training of interviewers.
3) Substitution permitted: Yes.
4) Substitution rate (in %): 16.3% proxy interviews. The criterion used is to select either another household member or a friend or relative.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Non-response does only concern the voluntary part of this survey.
All sociodemographic content as well as some ICT-related questions of the ICT questionnaire are covered by the mandatory core programme of the German microcensus.
If any mandatory information is not provided by the respondent, the dunning procedure starts automatically.
Cases of item non-response, which may occur in mandatory variables of the final and processed data to a very small extent (e.g. ISCED level of a person), those result from the fact that the respondent in question is still in the dunning process.
Usually, none or only very few such cases occur in the processed data.
As concerns the ICT-specific variables, all item non response in those variables was completely imputed in the final micro data of this survey (See also 18.5 Data Compilation).
Items with low response rates (observed rates in %):
Cut-off value: 0.90
- Socio-demographic background EU target variables: None.
- Household-based ICT related EU target variables: None.
- Individuals' based ICT related EU target variables:
- IUACDLP: Problems encountered when deleting an account of a free app or service (sample: 11.3%, weighted: 11.3%)
- ECO_DMOB: Device replacement/mobile phone or smartphone (sample: 10.6%, weighted: 10.6%)
- ECO_DLT: Device replacement/laptop or tablet (sample: 13.7%, weighted: 14.0%)
- ECO_DPC: Device replacement/desktop computer (sample: 16.0%, weighted: 16.0%)
- TIME: Interview duration (sample: 10.3%; weighted: 9.9%)
13.3.4. Processing error
There were no significant processing errors in this survey, but only of minor significance errors which did not impact the final results. Those errors (e.g. data entry errors) could usually be traced back/verified, due to the very complex IT applications behind.
The whole IT process (data entry, data treatment, final data processing) was accompanied by comprehensive and exhaustive plausibility checks and consistency checks.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable
14.1. Timeliness
Final data availability:
For DE total: 12 September 2024 (date of EU data delivery)
For the 16 Federal States of DE : 12 November 2024 (validated national standard tables; needed before the first results can be released by the FSO)
Date of data dissemination at national level:
A press release with first results of the 2024 survey was published on 28 November 2024: 83 % der 16- bis 74-Jährigen kaufen online ein (in German language).
A Statistical Report (.xlsx file; in German language) on the results of the 2024 ICT survey was published on 28 November 2024: "Statistischer Bericht. Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien privater Haushalte (Mikrozensus-Unterstichprobe - IKT). Endergebnis 2024"
This report covers not only results tables but also methodological information on the ICT survey, and it also makes particular reference to the national data base Genesis Online, where the ICT survey results can be found.
To access the report, please follow theme "Gesellschaft und Umwelt/Einkommen, Konsum und Lebensbedingungen/IT-Nutzung" on the Destatis website and click on "Publikationen" in the left column.
Standard tables with all Federal results of the 2024 survey (i.e. results for Germany as a whole) are also sent to customers by the FSO on request.
The most relevant results of the survey can also be accessed in internet table format (in English language) on the Destatis website.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Restricted from publication14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Restricted from publication14.2. Punctuality
Time lags (in days) between the actual delivery of the data and the target date when it should have been delivered:
23 days.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
23 days (100%).
15.1. Comparability - geographical
There is no problem of comparability across the country’s regions.
The statistics is comparable for the whole territory of Germany, i.e. it is comparable between the 16 Federal States of Germany.
The statistics is also EU-wide comparable.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not relevant
15.2. Comparability - over time
Possible limitations in the use of data for comparisons over time:
Not relevant.
Note: According to the German microcensus law, the integration of the ICT households and individuals survey into the German microcensus (1% random sample of the German population) took effect in 2021. Before, the survey was designed as a quota sample with only paper-based data collection mode. The new design is a random sampling-based design, which is closer to reality as concerns the dynamics of the digital society in Germany. Moreover, it offers respondents to use different data collection modes. Due to the fundamental system change, the results of the survey years from 2021 on cannot be directly compared to those of the previous survey years up to 2020.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
The length of comparable time series depends on the module and variable considered within each of the modules of the survey.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Not applicable
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable
15.4. Coherence - internal
All statistics are coherent within the dataset.
15.4.1. Survey questionnaire – mandatory questions
MANDATORY questions in the Eurostat model questionnaire 2024:
Table 15.4.1. of document Standard errors – Mandatory – Optional questions_DE – 2024 in the Annexes lists the questions for which the coverage of subjects and characteristics differs from of Annex 2 of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1797 of 7 July 2023.
15.4.2. Survey questionnaire – optional questions
Adoption of OPTIONAL questions and items in the Eurostat model questionnaire 2024:
Table 15.4.2. of document Standard errors – Mandatory – Optional questions_DE – 2024 in the Annexes lists the optional questions from the annual Eurostat model questionnaire 2024 included in the national questionnaire and their coverage for age groups beyond the standard scope.
15.4.3. Survey questionnaire – additional questions at national level
Additional questions introduced in the national questionnaire in 2024:
No additional questions have been added to Eurostat questionnaire.
15.4.4. Survey questionnaire – deviations
Effects of deviations from the routing used in the Eurostat model questionnaire:
No deviations from Eurostat’s routing otherwise
17.1. Data revision - policy
No data revision for this statistics in 2024.
Principally, a revision of the survey data is not planned for this survey year and the following years.
Unplanned revisions: In justified cases however, a data revision will be considered.
17.2. Data revision - practice
There are no revisions to report.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not relevant
18.1. Source data
The source of the raw data is described with more details in the paragraphs below.
18.1.1. Sampling frame
Name and short description of the sampling frame:
Name of the sampling frame: German Census 2011
Name of the microcensus survey: Mikrozensus 2024 - Kernprogramm.
Type of source: The source of the sample is the German Census 2011 with yearly update by building permits. Sampling is based on areas.
Survey vehicle:
Since 2021, the ICT survey is embedded in the German microcensus system.
The German microcensus is a random cluster sample covering 1% of the German population.
Survey participation:
The microcensus survey with its sub-samples (LFS, SILC, ICT) is partly mandatory and partly voluntary: the socio-demographic background variables are included in the mandatory core program of the German microcensus, as well as two ICT-related variables. The latter are the household-based variable IACC (household has got internet access) and the individual-based variable IU on internet use in the last 3 months (only the IU=1 answering-option of this question). For all other parts of the survey, participation is voluntary.
Shortcomings:
The microcensus sample (and so the included ICT sample as well) is updated on a yearly base to ensure a high degree of timeliness.
Sampling districts are distributed equally amongst their region and have the same probability to be selected. Therefore, there are no shortcomings in terms of timeliness, geographical coverage that Destatis is aware of.
The only subpopulation that is under-represented is the group of the homeless as they are not part of the sampling frame. Besides that, it is not always clear whether (new) buildings are already habitable.
18.1.2. Sampling design
Sampling design / probability design: The sampling design is a probability design.
Sampling stages: One stage cluster sample.
First stage stratified cluster sampling:
The method used to select the sampling units is stratified cluster sampling (German microcensus selection district "Auswahlbezirk"), where the German Census of 2011 served as the sampling frame. The addresses were stratified by a combination of technical (building size classes) and regional information (districts/counties or summaries of districts) as described below. Based on the stratification, addresses were clustered into artificially delimited areas (selection areas; in German called "Auswahlbezirke") that consist of around 9 dwellings or respectively 15 persons. Based on the specifications of the Census like clustering, the selected units were sampled and all sampling information was determined. Due to legislation only 20% of the sampling frame was stored. Based on the determined sampling variables, the sample districts were assigned to the microcensus and to the ICT-subsample. These variables are assigned as random numbers by permutation and are used to delimit the annual sample of the microcensus as well as the disjoint subsamples like ICT (3 sub-samples: LFS, SILC, ICT).
Stratification variables referring to building size classes:
The first stratum includes smaller buildings with 1 to 4 apartments. They are grouped into sample districts with a guideline value of 12 apartments, in the order of the house numbers within the street, if necessary also across streets. The second stratum includes medium-sized buildings with 5 to 10 apartments. These buildings each form their own selection districts. The third stratum includes buildings with 11 or more apartments. These are divided into sections with a guide size of 6 apartments. There are two more strata: Stratum N°4 includes the population in communal accommodation, which is divided into selected units with a reference size of 15 people. Another stratum N°5 serves for updating the basic selection. This annual update of the selection takes place via the reports on the construction activity statistics (so-called building permits). The new buildings registered there are divided into the three initial size classes mentioned.
Regional stratification variables:
There are 243 regional strata (districts or groups of districts), which as a rule should have at least 200 000 inhabitants. The technique of selection, i.e. the sorting, zone formation and selection per zone ensures a stratification-like effect for these regions.
Number of individuals interviewed in the household:
All household members in the EU scope were asked to participate in the survey on voluntary basis. Thus, either one or some or all members of the "in scope" household members were interviewed, dependent on their willingness to participate.
Longitudinal component:
Approximately 30% of the microcensus selection areas are replaced annually by new selection areas to be included in the selection (principle of partial rotation; rotation takes place at the level of the microcensus). This means that approximately 30% of the households surveyed from the previous year are excluded from the survey, while an equal proportion of households to be surveyed is included in the microcensus survey for the first time. The ICT subsample of the German microcensus is indirectly affected by this microcensus rotation scheme as concerns the weighting procedure applied to the ICT subsample results. There's also rotation in the ICT subsample itself: Each year, 25% of the households surveyed from the previous year are excluded from the survey, while an equal proportion of households (25%) to be surveyed is included in the ICT subsample survey for the first time. However, in contrast to "real" panel surveys the ICT survey is not to be regarded as a panel survey, because no follow-up of the ICT sample households takes place from year to year.
18.1.3. Net effective sample size
Restricted from publication18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual
18.3. Data collection
1) Methods used to gather data:
Multi-mode data collection (CAPI, CATI, CAWI, PAPI).
2) Short description of the survey method:
| Collection mode | Shares |
|---|---|
| CAPI: Face-to-face interview |
5.1% |
| CATI: Telephone interview. | 35.8% |
| CAWI: Web-based interview. | 50.5% |
| PAPI: Self-administered paper-and-pencil (mail) interview. | 8.6% |
3) Variables completed from an external source: None.
18.4. Data validation
A number of IT programs and tools are established and tested, among them are the IT tools for the various data collection modes (CAPI, CATI, CAWI, Paper-and-Pencil). The mode-related IT tools include already numerous consistency and plausibility controls as well as instructive content for the respondent.
After data receipt from the Federal Statistical State Offices, the collected data are further examined and processed by the FSO. Response rates, consistency and plausibility of the data is checked comprehensively. Adequate imputation methods are applied, if necessary.
The checked and cleaned data are then weighted by the FSO, and the weighted results are in-depth-analysed by the FSO.
Based on the finalized national data, the EU target variables are constructed by the FSO, according to the EU requirements (transmission format). Additional calculations are made (e.g. net equivalence income quintiles and other required data set content). The national data set is supplemented by the variables required for the EU. Consistency and coding of the constructed EU target variables is analysed by the FSO. The fulfilment of EU validation rules is checked.
Before providing the German data sets (via EDAMIS), Eurostat validation standards are applied/checked in order to guarantee that the data to be delivered fulfil the validity criterion requested by Eurostat transmission standards.
18.5. Data compilation
Data editing:
Data entry is done by the Federal Statistical State Offices. A very complex IT application (called MIKIS) is used for that. MIKIS contains a multitude of plausibility and consistency checks. It also comprises the whole administrative management (including management of the dunning procedure).
Imputation:
In some exceptional cases, deductive imputation was applied, where appropriate. That concerns some YES/NO questions with many sub-items in the national questionnaire, where respondents ticked only YES boxes and left all other sub-items empty and so produced missing values.
In such cases, these missing values were re-coded by the FSO by inserting NO, assuming that those missings are actually to be interpreted as NO answers.
For any other item non response in ICT related variables, hot deck imputation was applied, using simple random selection with replacement. For further information see 18.5.2 Use of imputation methods.
Weighting: See 18.5.3
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
For the target indicator "Individuals having ordered goods or services for private use over the internet in the last 12 months" (individuals who ticked 'Within the last 3 months' or 'Between 3 months and a year ago' in the question “When did you last buy or order goods or services for private use over the internet?”:
Imputation rate (% of observations): 0.0%
Imputation rate (share of estimate): 0.0%
18.5.2. Use of imputation methods
Methods used to impute item non-response:
Hot deck imputation, using simple random selection with replacement.
Name of the method: proc surveyimpute (SAS).
Before imputing item non-response, correlation analysis was undertaken in order to identify suitable imputation cells/variables.
None of the valid, received responses were changed or overwritten by imputation. Questionnaire filterings and consistencies were thoroughly considered.
Additional issues on the non-response calculation:
Technically, in the German ICT household survey there are two control variables (IU, IBUY) which must be filled with a valid, non-empty value in any respondent's dataset.
If this pre-condition is not met by a respondent, an ICT subsample specific quality identifier is automatically set (in the data processing system called MIKIS), indicating that this record is a drop-out (a case of non-response) and that it cannot be included in the final, validated data set.
18.5.3. Grossing-up procedures
Grossing up procedures have been applied to:
Individuals and Households
Description of the weighting procedures:
Weighting is done separately for households and individuals using the same procedure, but it is applied to auxiliary variables of the respective unit. Design weights are calculated as the inverse of the inclusion probabilities. Every unit (household or person) receives the inclusion probability of the associated selection area (district; "Auswahlbezirk"). Inclusion probabilities are known from sample selection and differ between NUTS-2 regions. The design weights are adjusted by response probabilities.
Since ICT is integrated as a submodule into the compulsory Microcensus survey, the ICT gross sample can be estimated by the associated core sample. Response probabilities are calculated by logit regression. Input weights for calibration are calculated as the inverse of the product of inclusion and response probability. At the time of EU-ICT weighting, for some variables more information is available in the form of weighted totals from a bigger sample (Microcensus-core).
For the integrated system, the following two phase-procedure was implemented:
First phase: Adjustment of Microcensus core to updated population data (age, sex, nationality) by using the Generalized Regression (GREG) Estimator. The resulting weights are used for the calculation of the reference-data.
Second phase: Adjustment of ICT survey to the weighted core by using GREG-estimation, too. A lot of information is available on both household and population level for weighting of the ICT subsample. It is to outline that both phases are part of the weighting itself.
Additional steps for the calculation of response probabilities are done in advance as described.
18.6. Adjustment
Not relevant
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not relevant
Annexes of this report:
German ICT household survey 2024; information on mandatory and optional variables and on relative standard errors:
File Standard errors – Mandatory – Optional questions_DE – 2024, including the Excel sheets:
13.2.1. Sampling errors - indicators (German_ICT_household_survey_2024: relative standard errors)
15.4.1. Questionnaire 2024 - mandatory questions (German_ICT_household_survey_2024: coverage of mandatory questions)
15.4.2. Questionnaire 2024 - optional questions (German_ICT_household_survey_2024: coverage of optional questions)
German ICT household survey 2024; national language questionnaire (PAPI version):
- File FB7_MZ2024_questionnaire_coverpages_de.pdf
- File FB7_MZ2024_questionnaire_de.pdf
German ICT household survey 2024; English language questionnaire (PAPI version):
- File FB7_MZ2024_questionnaire_coverpages_en.pdf
- File FB7_MZ2024_questionnaire_en.pdf
Annexes incorporated as chapter annexes in this report:
10.6. Documentation and methodology:
Introduction to the microcensus survey
Preparation of the microcensus operation
Instructions for visiting the selected microcensus districts
Instructions and Explanations on the questionnaire(s)
The EU survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals is an annual survey conducted since 2002. In Germany, it has been conducted since 2002.
In 2024, the survey collects data on the access to information and communication technologies (ICT), on the use of the internet, e-government, Internet of things, Green ICT as well as e-commerce.
The survey is collecting data of internet users, individuals who have used the internet in the three months prior to the survey.
This annual survey is used to benchmark ICT-driven developments, both by following developments for core variables over time and by looking in greater depth at other aspects at a specific point in time. While the survey initially concentrated on access and connectivity issues, its scope has subsequently been extended to cover a variety of subjects (for example, the use of internet, e-government, eID, and e-commerce, e-skills and privacy and protection of personal data) and socio-economic analysis (such as regional diversity, gender specificity, differences in age, education and the employment situation). The scope of the survey with respect to different technologies is also adapted so as to cover new product groups and means of delivering communication technologies to end-users.
For more details on the methodology applicable in each survey year, please consult the Compiler's Manual for the respective year.
Deviations from standard ICT concepts: None.
Households and Individuals
In the ICT usage survey, the target population for the different statistical units is:
- individuals: all individuals aged 16 to 74;
- households: all (private) households at main residence with at least one member aged 16 to 74.
Target population composed of households and/or individuals:
- Number of households: 36 190 741
- Number of individuals: 62 318 375
The data refer to the whole territory of Germany.
All 16 Federal States are covered: Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Niedersachsen, Bremen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Hessen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Saarland, Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Thüringen.
For most questions the reference period is the last three months before the interview. Questions in the modules on e-government refer to the 'last year' before the interview.
Deviation from this assertion: None.
Since participation in the survey is voluntary, non-response is a source for errors.
In comparison to the obligatory Microcensus population, slight underreporting can be seen in the expected variable characteristics (non-German citizenship, low and high education, some age groups).
Cluster sampling as it is done in Germany raises the error. On the other hand, the stratification reduces it.
Percentages of ‘Households’ and Percentages of ‘Individuals’
Data editing:
Data entry is done by the Federal Statistical State Offices. A very complex IT application (called MIKIS) is used for that. MIKIS contains a multitude of plausibility and consistency checks. It also comprises the whole administrative management (including management of the dunning procedure).
Imputation:
In some exceptional cases, deductive imputation was applied, where appropriate. That concerns some YES/NO questions with many sub-items in the national questionnaire, where respondents ticked only YES boxes and left all other sub-items empty and so produced missing values.
In such cases, these missing values were re-coded by the FSO by inserting NO, assuming that those missings are actually to be interpreted as NO answers.
For any other item non response in ICT related variables, hot deck imputation was applied, using simple random selection with replacement. For further information see 18.5.2 Use of imputation methods.
Weighting: See 18.5.3
The source of the raw data is described with more details in the paragraphs below.
Annual
Final data availability:
For DE total: 12 September 2024 (date of EU data delivery)
For the 16 Federal States of DE : 12 November 2024 (validated national standard tables; needed before the first results can be released by the FSO)
Date of data dissemination at national level:
A press release with first results of the 2024 survey was published on 28 November 2024: 83 % der 16- bis 74-Jährigen kaufen online ein (in German language).
A Statistical Report (.xlsx file; in German language) on the results of the 2024 ICT survey was published on 28 November 2024: "Statistischer Bericht. Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien privater Haushalte (Mikrozensus-Unterstichprobe - IKT). Endergebnis 2024"
This report covers not only results tables but also methodological information on the ICT survey, and it also makes particular reference to the national data base Genesis Online, where the ICT survey results can be found.
To access the report, please follow theme "Gesellschaft und Umwelt/Einkommen, Konsum und Lebensbedingungen/IT-Nutzung" on the Destatis website and click on "Publikationen" in the left column.
Standard tables with all Federal results of the 2024 survey (i.e. results for Germany as a whole) are also sent to customers by the FSO on request.
The most relevant results of the survey can also be accessed in internet table format (in English language) on the Destatis website.
There is no problem of comparability across the country’s regions.
The statistics is comparable for the whole territory of Germany, i.e. it is comparable between the 16 Federal States of Germany.
The statistics is also EU-wide comparable.
Possible limitations in the use of data for comparisons over time:
Not relevant.
Note: According to the German microcensus law, the integration of the ICT households and individuals survey into the German microcensus (1% random sample of the German population) took effect in 2021. Before, the survey was designed as a quota sample with only paper-based data collection mode. The new design is a random sampling-based design, which is closer to reality as concerns the dynamics of the digital society in Germany. Moreover, it offers respondents to use different data collection modes. Due to the fundamental system change, the results of the survey years from 2021 on cannot be directly compared to those of the previous survey years up to 2020.