Within the existing legal framework, the stated mission of the SIS is to compile, evaluate, and publish (disseminate) statistical data concerning the economic, social, cultural and demographic structure of Turkey. The functions through which this mission is implemented include:

• Establishing statistical definitions and standards, including principles to be applied by other public and private agencies with respect to compilation and organization of statistical data, and decisions regarding what public agencies will collect statistical data in which areas (Government agencies may collect statistical data to meet their own needs), and other data outside their own organizations, subject to the permission of SIS;
• Compiling, evaluating and publishing statistical data within the areas of its mission, SIS is authorized to request information directly from government agencies, institutions and individuals and they must furnish it in the format and time requested; to provide information to authorities and to the public; and to use the data processing facilities and centers of other government organizations when needed for census or large survey activities;
• Collecting and evaluating the data required in all stages of development plans and annual program assessment;
• Conducting specified and special censuses, designing and administering required surveys and publishing results in an expeditious manner;
• Compiling addresses, aerial photographs, maps, sketches, and other information needed in statistical work;
• Creating registers and record systems, organizing numbering and other identification schemes and cooperating with related government agencies;
• Conducting public opinion polls and assisting other institutions in similar activities;
• Creating and maintaining a statistical data bank and making necessary improvements in techniques for data collection, processing and dissemination;
• Holding national and international seminars, conferences and meetings to observe and review relevant scientific research and techniques, including public dissemination;
• Establishing national and international training and research centers in cooperation with universities and other training institutions, conducting and arranging training courses and programs, seminars and conference for its own and other institutions' personnel, including foreigners;
• Cooperating and/or contracting with other countries and international organizations to obtain and improve statistical information; and
• Assisting government agencies and institutions, local governments, and other individuals in performing and coordinating their statistical work.

Within this broad charter, SIS has all of the necessary authority to play the critical, lead role in the collection, processing and dissemination of national statistics. The model is similar to that found in other successful centralized statistical offices such as Sweden, Canada, and the Netherlands.

In performing its mission, SIS is funded almost entirely by appropriations and with some special project funds provided occasionally by international organizations. It should be noted that SIS has the authority to generate revenues through the sale of information products and services, although it has not traditionally pursued this avenue of funding until recently. Starting in 1993, SIS has been charging customers for some publications and some special products and services based on already established Revolving Fund Regulations of the Institute. For the project objectives, the existing Revolving Fund Regulations may need some refinements and revision in future.