The present report is the Third Asian Urban Inquiry 1994-5. Each survey in this series has had a unique focus. The survey in this round had a different focus than the surveys in previous rounds. Sections concerning poverty, quality of life, and women's status were added in this round. This report follows the same general format as the two previous reports in this series. Even though the data collected in this round is somewhat more general in nature and has a different focus than that of past rounds, consistency in analytic methods and the basic style of the report has been maintained.

I. AGGREGATE NATIONAL DATA

This section presents objective data, collected from various sources, about the 9 participant countries. The sources include United Nations' Reports and previous Asian Urban Inquiries.

Tables I-1, I-2 and I-3 provide basic objective data on selected population and social indicators that are relevant to this survey. This data is presented to help establish both an objective base and an understanding of each country's particular context.

Table I-1 : Selected Population Indicators

Table 1-2 : Selected Social Indicators

Table I-3 : Additional Population and Social Indicators

Table I-4, retained from the Second Asian Urban Inquiry 1992-3, indicates the population dynamics and trends in urbanization during the last 40 years and projections for the future for the selected countries. Figure 1-1 shows this data in graph form by economic development and country size.

Table I-4
Urbanization and Population Dynamics for Participant Countries

Figure I-1a
Urbanization of Selected Countries:
High Income Countries

Figure I-1b
Urbanization of Selected Countries:
Large Low Income Countrie

Figure I-1b
Urbanization of Selected Countries:
Large Low Income Countries (continued)

Figure I-1c
Urbanization of Selected Countries:
Smaller Low Income Countries

Another area of concern for Asian city administrators is the general aging of their populations. As people live longer, many socialchanges and adjustment must take place to deal with this increasing longevity.Table 1-5 shows the percent of total population over 65 years old for selected countries.

Table I-5
Projected Total Population and
Percent of Population Over 65 Years Old

Although the rate of increase varies, the populations of all selected countries are aging. There are both advantages and problems accompanying this phenomenon.

On the positive side, people are not only living longer, they are also staying healthy longer. This can lead to many elderly people contributing their experience and skills to society. On the other hand, the rapid industrialization and urbanization of Asian countries has brought about a great many social changes that leave vulnerable segments of the population, such as the elderly, in danger. The breakdown of traditional family structures that often accompanies urbanization and industrialization has transferred the burden of support of the elderly from the private to the public sector. The continual aging of populations, coupled with the social changes that accompany urbanization, will place greater stress on the welfare and social security systems of Asian countries in the future.

The status of women is a concern addressed in this round of the Inquiry. The following table gives some information regarding women and education. Access as students and participation as teachers in a countries education system is one important indicator of the current and future status of women in a society.

Table I-6
Female Access and Participation in Education