A review of mortality trends in selected countries of Southeast Asia is presented. In particular, the author compares differences in the mortality experience of Indonesia, Peninsular Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, for which data are available for both pre- and post-World War II periods. The rapid decrease in mortality in Thailand during the 1920s and 1930s is contrasted with the slow decline occurring at the same time in the Philippines. The impact of changes in mortality in the 1950s on current differentials is also discussed. (summary in ENG)