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This paper briefly reviews emerging lifelong learning patterns in Europe and Asia. It then describes a joint research project between the International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP/UNESCO), the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET), the National Institute for Educational Policy Research (NIEPR) of Japan and Australia's National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). This joint project was devoted to lifelong learning policies in Europe and the Asia Pacific region. The main objectives of the project were: to review policies, institutional arrangements and innovative instruments that are emerging in selected countries to expand learning opportunities for adults; to analyse the implementation problems; to identify and discuss the tensions that arise in the implementation process; and to identify innovations and analyse how they can be applied within and across countries. Three issues are the focus of the project: financing of lifelong learning; recognition of qualifications and prior learning; and the impact of lifelong learning strategies on education systems. Case studies were carried out in Australia, the UK, France, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, China, Korea, Sweden and Thailand. The project found that the scope of learning and the nature of lifelong learning policy varied widely between participating countries. Two important rationales for lifelong learning were identified: coping with ageing populations; and globalisation and the content of learning. The paper concludes that in spite of active policy formulation and large levels of investment, results seem to be mixed and the reality of lifelong learning has not been achieved as expected.