Objective: To study the epidemiological characteristics of leprosy and to provide evidences for specific strategies on leprosy control. Methods: Descriptive analysis was carried out based on the data of 2010 from the national leprosy surveillance system. Results: A total number of 1 324 new cases were detected in 2010 with a case detection rate of 0.099 per 100 000 population. The proportions of children under 15-year-old,multibacillary and disability grade 2 were 2.9%,84.9%,22.5%,respectively. A total number of 96 relapse cases were reported,among which 35 cases were those relapsed after multi-drug therapy. The registered cases were 6 032 by the end of 2010 with a prevalence rate of 0.450 per 100 000 populations,among which 2 886 cases were in the progress of multi-drug therapy. Conclusion: In China,the overall leprosy situation is still at low endemic but the distribution is unequal,with pocket areas in southwest such as Yunnan,Sichuan and Guizhou provinces. In order to reduce the burden of the disease and reach the target of leprosy elimination,which was considered as a public health and social problem,the input and efforts are needed for many years.