Herein an overview of reductive catalytic enantioselective desymmetrisation of achiral or meso compounds is provided. The most efficient reductive desymmetrisations described in the literature, which involve the reduction of C[double bond, length as m-dash]O, C[double bond, length as m-dash]N, C[double bond, length as m-dash]C and C–halogen bonds, or reductive ring-opening, are summarised. The structural diversity of the valuable highly enantioenriched intermediates prepared by reductive desymmetrisation is highlighted.