Government budget and revenue in Köln, Kreisfreie Stadt (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany): official figures
In 2023, the city of Köln recorded a tax revenue of its municipalities per resident of €2,591, compared with €1,446 in the median German district, which ranks it 14th highest of 400 districts. In 2019 the figure was €2,063.
How rich are the municipalities in Köln?
At €1,662 in 2023, the municipal tax-raising capacity (Steuerkraft) per resident in the city of Köln ranked 24th highest of 400 German districts (district median €1,080). It was €1,315 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow much business tax does Köln collect?
In 2023, the city of Köln recorded a business tax (Gewerbesteuer) take per resident of €1,676, compared with €669 in the median German district, which ranks it 13th highest of 400 districts. It was €1,315 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow much debt does Köln have?
The municipal debt per resident in the city of Köln was €2,826 in 2023, 57th highest of 400 districts in Germany; the median district stood at €1,114. That is up from €2,441 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyDoes Köln have short-term cash loans?
At €889 in 2023, the short-term cash credit (Kassenkredite) owed by its councils per resident in the city of Köln ranked 51st highest of 400 German districts (district median €23). It was €835 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow many people work for the council in Köln?
At 234.4 in 2023, the number of municipal staff per 10,000 residents in the city of Köln ranked 35th highest of 396 German districts (district median 162.5). It was 198.5 in 2019.
Source: Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung · saved copyHow Köln, Kreisfreie Stadt compares with other districts in Germany
Municipal tax revenue per resident (€) (2023)
Köln, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 14 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Steuereinnahmen der Gemeinden und Gemeindeverbände in Euro je Einwohner
| Rank | Area | Municipal tax revenue per resident (€) |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Main-Taunus-Kreis | €2,783 |
| 12 | Tirschenreuth | €2,685 |
| 13 | Regensburg, Kreisfreie Stadt | €2,618 |
| 14 | Köln, Kreisfreie Stadt | €2,591 |
| 15 | Ingolstadt, Kreisfreie Stadt | €2,504 |
| 16 | Dingolfing-Landau | €2,436 |
| 17 | Karlsruhe, Stadtkreis | €2,431 |
Municipal tax capacity per resident (€) (2023)
Köln, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 24 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Gemeindliche Steuerkraft in € je Einwohner
| Rank | Area | Municipal tax capacity per resident (€) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Starnberg | €1,745 |
| 22 | Schweinfurt, Kreisfreie Stadt | €1,705 |
| 23 | Ulm, Stadtkreis | €1,695 |
| 24 | Köln, Kreisfreie Stadt | €1,662 |
| 25 | Karlsruhe, Stadtkreis | €1,645 |
| 26 | Hochtaunuskreis | €1,639 |
| 27 | Miesbach | €1,634 |
Municipal debt per resident (€) (2023)
Köln, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 57 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Kommunale Schulden in € je Einwohner
| Rank | Area | Municipal debt per resident (€) |
|---|---|---|
| 54 | Lahn-Dill-Kreis | €2,846 |
| 55 | Städteregion Aachen | €2,836 |
| 56 | Schwalm-Eder-Kreis | €2,831 |
| 57 | Köln, Kreisfreie Stadt | €2,826 |
| 58 | Bottrop, Kreisfreie Stadt | €2,796 |
| 59 | Altenkirchen (Westerwald) | €2,733 |
| 60 | Mettmann | €2,730 |
Municipal cash credits per resident (€) (2023)
Köln, Kreisfreie Stadt ranks 51 of 400, highest first. INKAR indicator: Kassenkredite in € je Einwohner
| Rank | Area | Municipal cash credits per resident (€) |
|---|---|---|
| 48 | Harz | €936 |
| 49 | Wesel | €907 |
| 50 | Mayen-Koblenz | €903 |
| 51 | Köln, Kreisfreie Stadt | €889 |
| 52 | Rhein-Sieg-Kreis | €849 |
| 53 | Altenkirchen (Westerwald) | €842 |
| 54 | Wittenberg | €833 |
More on Köln, Kreisfreie Stadt: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · North Rhine-Westphalia · Germany
Sources
- Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung: INKAR – Indikatoren und Karten zur Raum- und Stadtentwicklung: 43 district (Kreise) indicators, 2012-2024 (table service extract), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c743f54caf6…)
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