Abstract:Based on the virtual water theory, water footprint theory and the theory of decoupling, this article discusses the decoupling relationship between water resources utilization and the economic development in Jiangxi province from 2003 to 2012. The results show that the water footprint per capita mean 1783m3 during 2003-2012 in Jiangxi province, higher than 1700m3 that the International Water Footprint Organization estimates Chinese per capita water footprint in 2011, water resources utilization efficiency index increased from 4.39 yuan/m3 in 2003 to 8.57 yuan/m3 in 2012, and during this period the water footprint intensity showed a clear downward trend, indicating the utilization efficiency of water resources significantly improved. But evaluation results from decoupling analysis of the water resource utilization and economic coordinated development imply, the weak decoupling of primary coordination between GDP growth and water resources consumption in Jiangxi province during most of the year. Water resources utilization efficiency remains to be further improved.