The aim of this study was to describe and compare the socio-economic factors that can be expected to influence the education system in Portugal, where urbanization has been very slow. The report examines basic needs in Portugal's 18 districts and makes recommendations about resource allocation to planners of adult education programs. Extensive tables and graphs provide data, by district, on population; substandard housing; number of inhabitants per physician and per hospital bed; health index based on child mortality and maternal death rates; index of accessibility based on kilometers of road and population density; access to culture via radio, television, libraries, and museums; and participation in trade unions and elections. A physical quality of life index based on infant mortality, life expectancy, and illiteracy rate is also provided. Several models are presented that explore the relationships among these indicators and both adult literacy and school enrollment. Trend analysis is used to predict literacy rates for each district in the year 2000. The districts are then grouped according to socioeconomic development characteristics and prioritized with regard to need for adult education activities. Having demonstrated the interrelationships between various development variables and education, this report recommends that the most needy districts receive an integrated program providing resources to improve housing, health, infrastructure, industrial or agricultural production, and literacy. (SV)