The development of hydropower resources and the construction of water storage facilities in major countries was analyzed, especially for developed countries. Based on the persisting track of the achievements and data for hydropower resources at home and abroad, the hydropower development level in China was assessed from an international perspective. The present study shows that China has the largest hydropower resources reserves in the world and the annual energy production is also in the top of the world. The economic development degree of hydropower in 2013 is 52%, which is lower than that in main developed countries(higher than 70%). The hydropower development degree in China is slightly lower than that in countries with moderate human development index of 0.7~0.8. Some total quantity indicators in the development and utilization of water resources in China lead the world, but the degree of development and utilization and the degree of socio-economic matching is still lower compared with developed countries.