ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological burden and trend of skin malignant melanoma in China based on the data from the global burden of disease 2019 (GBD 2019). MethodsThe data about quantity of incidences/illnesses/deaths, age-standardized incidence/prevalence rates/mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and DALY rate of skin malignant melanoma in China from 1990 to 2019 were obtained from the GBD 2019 databases. The epidemiological trends, age-period-cohort trends, and the relationship between the incidence and sociodemographic index (SDI) were analyzed.ResultsIn 2019, both prevalence and incidence of skin malignant melanoma in China were at low levels in the world, the age-standardized mortality ranked the 35th in the 204 countries GBD researched, the number of prevalent cases and incident cases increased compared with 1990 (12.65% and 3.57%, respectively), the prevalence and incidence rates showed growth trends, while the DALY rate and mortality decreased slowly. The prevalence of skin malignant melanoma peaked age at 50 to 54 years old. The incidence peak age of males was older than that of females (55-59 years old for males vs. 50-54 years old for females), while the mortality peak age of males was younger than that of females (55-59 years old for males vs. 75-79 years old for females). With the increasing of SDI value, the incidence of skin malignant melanoma showed a linear growth trend. DALY rate was negatively correlated with SDI (P<0.05). ConclusionFrom 1990 to 2019, age-standardized incidence and prevalence of skin malignant melanoma in China are increasing, while DALY rate and mortality are decreasing, and these are correlated with social and medical development.