Abstract: Based on the indicator data of 8 provinces (autonomous regions) in Yellow River Basin from 2008 to 2022, an indicator system was constructed through the PSR model. First, the entropy weight method was employed to calculate the water ecological security level and analyze the spatio-temporal evolution pattern. Subsequently, the grey prediction model was utilized to predict the water ecological security level in Yellow River Basin. Finally, the obstructive factors influencing the water ecological security level in Yellow River Basin were explored. The research findings indicated that the overall water ecological security level in Yellow River Basin was on an upward trend. Except for Shanxi Province and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, where the water ecological security level has consistently remained at a relatively low level, the water ecological security levels of the remaining provinces and autonomous regions have improved. Henan Province took the lead in reaching the level Ⅳ security state. The obstacle factors affecting the water ecological security level in Yellow River Basin include per capita water resources, expenditure on science and technology, industrial water use, ecological water use, investment in fixed assets, agricultural water use, and population density. In response to this issue, suggestions were proposed, such as vigorously developing green ecological industries to achieve rational allocation of water resources, actively improving the institutional system to innovate agricultural water-saving technology, and enhancing policy support to comprehensively elevate the water ecological security level.