Provided is a self-emulsifying composition which contains, when the total amount of the self-emulsifying composition is taken as 100% by mass, 70-90% by mass of at least one compound that is selected from the group consisting of ?-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and esters thereof, 0.5-6% by mass of water and 1-29% by mass of an emulsifying agent that comprises a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester (and that may optionally comprise a polyoxyl castor oil in addition, provided that lecithin is not contained therein), and which contains 3-40 parts by mass of lecithin per 100 parts by mass of the ?-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid or the like. This self-emulsifying composition exhibits excellent self-emulsifying properties, composition dispersibility, emulsion stability and absorbability, while containing no ethanol or a polyhydric alcohol, or containing ethanol or a polyhydric alcohol at a low concentration. This self-emulsifying composition is useful for food and medicine.