Nuclear power industry is a kind of strategic and high-technology industry which relates to the safety of national energy resources. As energy release source，nuclear fuel element is indispensable which is one of the key reactor core components. This paper briefly summarizes the technological development situation and trend of nuclear fuel element both domestic and abroad，including main commercial nuclear power fuel（2nd generation plus and 3rd generation PWR），innovative fuel element and the development status and trend of fuel element manufacturing technology. and finally put forward the demand and suggestion for the development of nuclear fuel elements.