This publication reviews population and housing census experiences throughout Asia and the Pacific and serves as a regional contribution to preparations for the 1990 World Population and Housing Census Programme. It analyzes major methodological issues including census planning, population coverage, sampling, mapping, field operations, training, data processing, evaluation, dissemination and publicity, drawing lessons from the 1980 census round. The report contains detailed country reviews from 39 countries and territories describing census organization, technological innovations, challenges, costs and future plans. It highlights the growing use of computers, optical mark recognition, post-enumeration surveys and improved dissemination methods while emphasizing the continued importance of technical assistance and regional cooperation. The publication concludes that successful censuses require careful planning, adequate resources, trained personnel, effective publicity and the adaptation of emerging technologies to improve the quality and usefulness of census data for development planning.