The National Statistical Programme for 2012 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 2012:

• Carrying out of Surveys of Statistics on Income and Living Conditions, Production and deliveries of energy products, Characteristics of solar flat plate collectors;

• Europe 2020 indicators;

• Implementation and application of the new International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED 2011);

• Inclusion of Ad hoc module on Transition from work into retirement of the Labour force survey;

• Methodology, organization and administration of information flows from administrative sources in the domains: Demographic and social statistics and Business statistics;

• Participation in the project "Implementation of Quality Improvement Actions for the Labour Force Survey";

• Participation in the project "System for data collection on agricultural land prices and rents and payments to agriculture in accordance with the target methodology";

• Projects "Government funds devoted to trans-nationally coordinated research", "R&D expenditire funded from abroad" and "ICT Investments and expenditure in enterprises".

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 2012, published in State Gazette Issue 99/16.12.2011, specifies 17 291 328 BGN for costs, of which 15 941 328 BGN for current costs in the NSI's Budget for 2012. 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 3 027 817 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 2012 are financed from the budgets of the respective institutions.