An International Comparison of Urbanization with Consideration of Industrial Structures Based on Data from 38 Countries and Regions

Based on theoretical and empirical studies of the relationship between urbanization and per capita GDP,and industrial sector and service sector in 38 countries and regions during the period of 1976-2011,this paper analyzes China's urbanization and industrial and service sector,and suggests that China's difference in urbanization with world average level is from 4%-11%. China's difference in urbanization with world average level is not so large as some scholars claimed. The regression curve of China's urbanization on per capita GDP is nearest to that of Japan and Germany; during a long period China's urbanization may only reach to 76%; industrial sector,along with urbanization,will maintain crucial roles in economic growth,while the significance of service sector will rise in economic growth and its share in GDP will expand. Improving labor productivity of services with respect to industry is the inevitable choice of China's future economic development. And decision-makers should develop policies based on urbanization development stage and the people's income level.