Issues concerning the enrollment of adults in degree programs in countries belonging to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development are considered. Of concern are policies and institutional practices that affect adult participation in degree studies. The growing importance of continuing academic and professional education is addressed, along with the impact of new information and telecommunication technologies and their importance for distance higher education and independent study. In addition to an overview of adult demand for education and training and the role of higher education, attention is directed to: participation rates of adult students; characteristics of adult students; organizational policies and practices (e.g., admissions, part-time and distance modes and methods of study, credit transfer); and financial support to institutions and students. Comprehensive country surveys were completed by a number of countries (including Austria, Canada, France, West Germany, Ireland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States), while partial information was obtained from Australia, Finland, and Japan. (SW)