Abstract:This study used the zero sum gains-data envelopment analysis(ZSG-DEA)model, with consideration of multi-dimensional outputs, to estimate the pollution comprehensive allocation efficiency and the output efficiencies of production, life, and ecological dimensions of 31 provincial administrative regions(hereinafter referred to as provinces)in the Chinese mainland from 2000 to 2017 under the fixed total amount of water pollution discharge. Based on the principle of efficiency maximization, the pollution emission quota of each province in 2017 was readjusted. Results are as follows: the annual mean value of pollution comprehensive allocation efficiency of 31 provinces increased from 0. 322 in 2000 to 0. 364 in 2017, and the production dimension output efficiency was the main factor to promote the pollution comprehensive allocation efficiency; the mean value of pollution comprehensive allocation efficiency of 31 provinces from 2000 to 2017 was 0. 341, and the excessive ecological dimension output and insufficient life dimension output led to a low value of pollution comprehensive allocation efficiency; the pollution comprehensive allocation efficiency, ecological dimension output efficiency, and life dimension output efficiency were less affected by the economic development level, while the production dimension output efficiency was seriously affected by the economic development level. Moreover, the eastern region had the highest value of pollution comprehensive allocation efficiency, followed by the western and central regions; the eastern region also had the highest value of production dimension output efficiency, followed by the central and western regions; the western region had the highest value of ecological dimension output efficiency, followed by the central and eastern regions; and the western region also had the highest value of life dimension output efficiency, followed by the eastern and central regions. There was a positive correlation between the adjustment amount of pollution emission and the pollution comprehensive allocation efficiency. Twenty provinces with higher efficiencies, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Qinghai, and Tibet, could increase the pollution emission quota, while 11 provinces with lower efficiencies, including Hebei, Anhui, Henan, Jiangxi, and Hubei should reduce the amount of pollution emission quota.