This statistical compendium presents comparative information on women and men in Asia and the Pacific, using benchmark estimates for 1985, 1990, 1995 and 1998 and projections to 2010. It covers population and families, health, education, labour-force participation, employment, wages, political representation, refugees and international commitments concerning women’s rights. Sex-disaggregated figures allow assessment of the relative position of women and men across the region. The publication updates ESCAP’s 1994 Statistical Compendium on Women in Asia and the Pacific and adds topics such as HIV/AIDS, refugees and tobacco use. It was prepared to support regional review of the Jakarta Declaration and Plan of Action and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.