This book presents a comprehensive overview of Adult Learning Systems (ALS) in a range of post-industrial market democracies, situating them within historically and spatially comparative contexts. It illustrates the diverse ways in which different systems have responded to the shared and specific challenges involving organised adult learning. Renowned specialists map the evolution of ALS over the past three decades, exploring how socio-economic pressures, historical legacies, and policy interventions have shaped their current forms. Chapters delve into a range of case studies across Asia and Europe, highlighting unique context-dependent institutional development paths. The book sheds light on the elements that frame ALS and applies historical institutionalism to adult education, advancing comparative research with new analytical approaches. It examines trends and patterns and establishes a foundation for more extensive research on the development and transformation of ALS. is a crucial resource for students and academics in sociology and education, particularly researchers interested in a state of the art for organising adult learning. It also provides valuable insights for policymakers, delivering a conceptual framework for the design and implementation of effective adult education policies.