The National Statistical Programme for 2011 is elaborated in accordance with Chapter Three of the Law on Statistics. The programme includes Plan for activity of National Statistical Institute (NSI) and the Plans for statistical activities of the Bodies of Statistics.

The Programme includes tasks and activities in accordance with the horizontal priorities enlisted in the Strategy for Development of the National Statistical System (NSS) of the Republic of Bulgaria, 2008 - 2012, adopted by the Council of Ministers with protocol № 15 of 02.04.2008.

The development of methodology, production and dissemination of statistical information in the NSS are carrying out in accordance with the Regulations on the European statistics. The new surveys and activities are related to user needs and to priorities of the Community Statistical Programme for 2011:

• Carrying out of Structure of Earnings Survey, Continuing Vocational Training Survey in enterprises and Adult Education Survey;

• Inclusion of Ad hoc module on employment of disabled people of the Labour force survey;

• Methodological review and elaboration of national methodological system of statistics on culture using the results from the Eurostat's project for development of statistics on culture;

• Improvement of timeliness and scope of GDP, Implementation of NACE, Rev.2 in national accounts, compilation of main macroeconomic indicators for the General Government sector;

• Participation in the project "Multi-purpose consumer price statistics - Detailed prices of products for the purposes of monitoring of market by products and by sectors";

• Participation in the project "Rural Statistics";

• Carrying out survey on eco-industry, environmental taxes and fines paid, compilation of environmental accounts concerning ecological goods and services sector, development of a system for data collection and methodology on water statistics.

The development of Information Systems in different statistical areas is one of ICT priorities.

The results of statistical surveys included in the National Statistical Programme are accessible to all. Deadlines, form and mode for presentation of the results are in conformity with Eurostat requirements.

Changes in the organization of some surveys and shortening the deadlines for providing data for users are made in connection with cost optimization and reducing the respondents burden.

According to the Law on Statistics, Article 16 paragraph 1, the funds necessary for the implementation of the National Statistical Programme are provided from the State Budget and from direct financial contribution (grant funds) from Eurostat and other bodies and organizations and are specified apart from the funds for maintenance of the National Statistical Institute.The Law on State Budget of the Republic of Bulgaria for 2011, published in State Gazette Issue 99/17.12.2010, specifies 17 291 328 BGN for costs, of which 15 941 328 BGN for current costs in the NSI's Budget for 2011. The funding for new surveys under European regulations, contracts for grants and participation in working groups, workshops and training courses in Eurostat and international organisations is to the amount of 3 515 435 BGN and the approved NSI's Budget will be not sufficient to cover these costs.

The plans for statistical activities of the Bodies of Statistics in 2011 are financed from the budgets of the respective institutions.

The funding from the Central Budget for 2011 amounting to 21.0 mill. BGN is foreseen for the Programme "Population and Housing Census in the Republic of Bulgaria in 2011". The extra funds not mentioned for the implementation of the Programme "Census" are on NSI's Budget account.