Abstract: Taihu Basin was always one of the most developed districts in China. The authors analyzed the changes of socioeconomy and aquatic environment over the past 20 years, discussed the impact of socioeconomy, and described the trend of aquatic environment on the basis of future socioeconomy development. The annual growth rate of GDP reached 11.6%, the rate of urbanization increased 31% and the gross output value of industry increased 13 times. However, the crop area and effectively irrigated area decreased year after year. At the same time, in 1990＇s the proportion of the river length with the water quality exceeded the guideline value increased 23%, and the quality in Taihu Lake declined by two grades. For the economy development and the raise of living standards, the total water consumption increased, especially the use for living comsumption; industrial waste decreased though its production value added, however the domestic sewerage ascended rapidly. The impact of agricultural fertilizer use and the aquiculture and poultry on aquatic environment was intensified day by day. In the future, the economic growth rate would keep about 10%, and the water requirement would continuously increase, also the aquatic environment would further deteriorate in measurable future.

Key words: socioeconomic development, aquatic environment, impact, Taihu Basin