Abstract: Assessing the sustainability of eco-economic systems at the household level is vital for improving the integration and long-term viability of natural-ecological-social systems. Based on the emergy analysis method, we deve-loped an emergy indicator system that covers natural, economic, and social dimensions. Using this system, we assessed the sustainability of rural household eco-economic systems in the rural areas of northwestern Liaoning Province, and compared the differences in eco-economic systems among households with different livelihood types. The results showed that rural household systems in northwestern Liaoning had a generally low level of sustainable deve-lopment (ranging from 0.05 to 1.75). Environmental load rate was relatively high, with 60% of households facing moderate to severe environmental loads. Economic investments were often inefficient, with 17% of households showing a trade deficit. In terms of sustainability across livelihood types, the ranking was as follows: balanced type (0.586) > planting type (0.417) > breeding type (0.410) > working type (0.406) > business type (0.335). To promote sustainable rural development in northwestern Liaoning, it is recommended to encourage residents to participate more in agricultural production, improve resource efficiency, and adopt low-carbon lifestyles. Additionally, government agencies should increase funding and support for waste management, strengthen farmland protection and ecological conservation incentives, and take comprehensive measures to drive sustainable rural growth.

Key words: human-nature relationship, eco-economic system, emergy analysis, rural household, northwestern Liaoning