西方的模式以及有關都市化的論文都曾被引用來解釋亞洲國家都市的成長情形。本文檢視臺灣的都市化程度、速度及其吸收勞力的情形。臺灣的都市化現象集中在北部地區及幾個大的都市區。在1975年時，有半數的臺灣人口居住在50,000人以上的城市裡，而1964年至1975年間80% 的人口成長發生在都市地區。雖然勞力有快速的成長，大量的勞工還是被都市的各行各業所吸收，基於這種吸收的能力，臺灣還未達到所謂過度都市化的程度，能符合西方的模式。

Both the Western model and the urbanization thesis have been used to explain urban growth for the urbanizing countries of Asia. This paper examines levels and rates of urbanization in Taiwan and its ability to absorb a growing labor supply in its urban centers. Urban growth is concentrated in the Northern region and in large urban places. By 1975, half of Taiwan’s population was located in places of 50,000or more and 80 percent of the total population growth between 1964 and 1975 occurred in urban areas. Despite substantial urban growth and an even more rapid labor force growth, workers were absorbed into “urban” industries and occupations. Based on this. ability to absorb, Taiwan does not appear to be overurbanized and seems to fit the Western model.