The Eurobarometer is a program commissioned by the European Commission to monitor public opinion in the European Union member countries. Topics vary with each series, and have included agriculture, energy, environment, gender roles, immigration, knowledge of foreign languages, poverty, public health, technology, and other special topics.

Eurobarometer 49 covered topics including: crime; nutrition; health care and medical treatment; specific disease and medical conditions; international politics and organizations; mass political behavior, attitudes and opinions; government, political systems and organizations; children; and economic systems and development.