[Objective] The objective of this study was to analyze the driving forces of land desertification in Maqu plateau in order to provide basis and reference for ecological restoration of land degradation in the upper reaches of the Yellow River. [Methods] Land desertification information was elicited from multi-phase remote sensing data, and the driving forces data were collected from Maqu meteorological stations during 1964-2014 and social-economic statistical yearbook of Maqu County Gansu Province. Principal component analysis(PCA) was used. [Results] During 1964-2014, both natural and human factors contributed to the variation of land desertification area, their joint contribution was 57.18%. Driving factors of land desertification in Maqu Plateau varied in different stage during 1964-2014. The expansion of desertification land area in 1964-1980 was induced both by human and natural factors, but human factors played a dominant role with a contribution rate of 47.66%. The expansion of land desertification area in 1981-1997 was caused by the interaction of natural and human factors. The contribution rate of human factor and natural factor was 42.75%. During 1998-2014, the area of desertification land decreased by human factors. The contribution rate was 44.97%. [Conclusion] The development of land desertification in Maqu plateau was the result of mutual interaction between fragile alpine ecosystem and the intervention of human activities. For human activities, population and livestock are important driving factors. And eventually, human factors are more important and might determine whether progress or retrogress evolution will happen in a short term.