This ESCAP regional study examines the interrelationships between population growth, labour force development, employment, unemployment, fertility, and migration in Asia and the Pacific using census and survey data from approximately 1953 to 1971. It finds a strong positive relationship between population growth and labour force growth, particularly among working-age populations, while female labour force growth generally exceeded male labour force growth because of changing social and economic conditions. The study shows that male labour force participation rates were substantially higher than female rates, although female participation varied more widely across countries and over time. Analysis of marital status and fertility indicates that married women generally participated less in the labour force than never-married or widowed/divorced women, and that lower fertility was often associated with higher female economic activity, especially in more developed countries. The report also documents rapid urbanization, growth of non-agricultural employment, increasing female unemployment in several countries, and significant challenges in international comparisons due to differing labour force definitions and statistical practices.