Furtwangen loses dramatic: 599 inhabitants - what now?

Furtwangen loses dramatic: 599 inhabitants - what now?

Furtwangen, Deutschland - Furtwangen experiences a significant decline in its population, which is very stressful for both the city and the entire circle. According to the census in 2022, the decline is 6.68 percent, which now only counts 8374 inhabitants - a loss of 599 citizens compared to the continued census in 2011. This has direct consequences for the financial budget, because the state compensation payments based on the population are lower.

Florian Merz, head of the city, draws attention to the drastic financial losses that threaten Furtwangen due to falling population. For 2026, this could be accompanied by a loss of up to one million euros in the city treasury if the country should not recalculate the compensation payments. This Situation could already show noticeable effects in 2025 in the form of a mixed calculation from the two census numbers that put urban finances under pressure

Financial impact and census number

Merz hopes for an adjustment of the compensation payments by the country, since similar trends of the decline in population can also be observed in other cities in Baden-Württemberg. If this does not happen, the consequences would not only be serious for Furtwangen, but also for the circle. Because less money for Furtwangen could mean that the municipalities would have to increase their levies, which would further tighten the financial situation of the municipalities.

Another remarkable detail: The Furtwangen residents' registration office currently indicates a population of 8803, which is 429 people above the census numbers. Merz suspects that this could be due to the students who are in the city, but may not register with their first residence. The presence of a university in Furtwangen leads to fluctuations in the population, which were reinforced by the effects of Corona pandemic and the increase in online study offers.

The discrepancy between the number of census and the data of the residents' registration office raises questions, especially when it comes to the basis for state support payments. If the financial situation is not improved, Merz is hypothetically considering whether an increase in the rate would be necessary for trade tax, which he himself describes as unenforceable. He would not be able to expect the financial burdens associated with it.

Developments in the circle and admission perspective

In the entire Black Forest Baar district, the statistics have a decline in the population by 2.53 percent to 210,596 inhabitants. Furtwangen thus has an above -average loss, only Mönchweiler has an even worse balance with a decline of 7.06 percent. Other communities such as Vöhrenbach and Gütenbach also fight with similar declines.

Nevertheless, there is hope for the city of Furtwangen. Merz refers to the existing building site and attractive jobs that could possibly attract new residents. The birth rate is relatively stable and could also help stabilize the population. In addition, the suits of refugees, especially specialists from Ukraine, could have a positive impact on population development. Such immigrants could give important economic impulses and help to grow the population again.