Abstract: The Northwest China is rich in resources, and its location is prominent and it has huge development potential, thus its development is of significance to the national economy. Taking the five provinces of the Northwest China as an example, the influence of the industrial structure evolution on the economic development of the Northwest China was explored by using the industrial structure deviation, the industrial structure contribution equation, and the deviation-share analysis method. The results show that the contribution of the primary industry to the economic growth in the Northwest China is the lowest, and there is pressure of transferring the surplus labor. The growth rate of the secondary industry gradually declines and falls below the national average level. The tertiary industry is the key industry and owns the potential of rapid growth, thus it causes positive promoting effects on the evolution of regional industrial structure. It is suggested that the Northwest China needs to 1) adjust the resource supply structure of the primary industry and implement the more active employment policy, 2) to encourage the industrial enterprises use clean energy, carry out the deepening of resources and realize the green cycle development, and 3) to increase the targeted financial support for the Northwest China, strengthen the infrastructure construction, and cultivate the local advantage industry.