This study examined trends in urbanization and migration for countries in the Asian (ESCAP) region. By 2050 50% of the global population will be living in towns and cities. In the ESCAP region about 37% lived in urban areas in 1997 or 25% of global population. Urban population growth in ESCAP is around 2.9%. Patterns of urbanization vary by and within regions. Group I countries with high levels of urbanization tend to be on the periphery of the ESCAP region with the exception of Hong Kong Macau and Singapore. Group III countries with low levels of urbanization are among the poorest in the region. Group II countries with medium levels of urbanization include the southwest and central Asian economies and the rapidly growing economies of China and India. Group IV countries have small economies and populations and depend upon larger external countries. Huge countries such as China India and Indonesia have great ranges in patterns of urbanization. Group I countries are likely to remain at their high levels. Group III countries are likely to experience rapid urban growth. Group II countries should experience the most dramatic shifts in urbanization. Group IV countries will have variable growth rates. Urban growth includes natural increase net migration and reclassification. Migration increased from over 40% of urban growth in the 1960s to 63.6% in the 1980s or 48.9% when excluding China. Migrations share of urban population is likely to increase as fertility declines. Patterns and characteristics of migration are described for each of the 4 types of countries.