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.

Topics covered by Eurobarometer 52.1 included: lifelong/continuing education; social conditions and indicators; law, crime, and legal systems; trade, industry, and markets; consumption and consumer behavior; economic conditions and indicators; and biotechnology.

Data collection took place from 9-29 November, 1999.