Research on the inter-annual and multi-decadal sea level variability which may influence the long-term trend of the sea level change in the tropical Pacific Ocean was reviewed, the effect of two types of El Niñ o events on the inter-annual sea level change in the tropical Pacific Ocean was summarized, and the close relationship of the multi-decadal changes in trade winds and sea level in the tropical Pacific Ocean was revealed. It is pointed out that the pattern of recent sea level change in the tropical Pacific Ocean is determined by the trade wind intensification, and the decrease of strength of El Niñ o events is favorable to this pattern, while the effect of La Nina events needs to be further studied. Data limitation leads to fewer quantitative research achievements of the multi-decadal change, and the heat flux model for study of inter-annual and multi-decadal sea level variability needs to be improved.