Abstract: In this study, both evaluation index system and methods were proposed to assess the rural household livelihoods sustainability with integrating sustainable livelihoods approach into PSR conceptual model. As a case study in Chongqing, rural household livelihoods sustainability from 1997 to 2011 was evaluated to analyze its evolution process and composition change characteristic. Results show that the proposed evaluation index system was comprehensively enough to reflect every aspects of livelihoods sustainability, while the evaluation results could reflect the actual level of rural household livelihoods sustainability. Furthermore, it can be found that the rural household livelihoods sustainability had been improved from slight non-sustainability to slight sustainability level. Meantime, state, impact and response indexes exhibited a trend that continued to be improved, while pressure index showed a significant fluctuation growth, because natural disasters and price rise were the main limiting factors. Moreover, although livelihood vulnerability presented an obvious uncertainty, both government and rural household themselves had made positive responses. As a result, rural household livelihood assets had increased continuously and income level and life quality had a significant improvement.