Abstract: Through a DEA static analysis and Malmquist index dynamic analysis, this article conducts a dynamic evaluation on and comparison between the green efficiency of 36 cities at prefecture-level or above in the Central Delta and the Yangtze River Delta during 2000-2012. According to the leading surface analysis of the model, the green efficiency contribution ratio analysis, the analysis of green efficiency score and its variance coefficient, a conclusion is drawn that the green efficiency of the Central Delta Urban Agglomeration is significantly below that of the Yangtze River Delta, and the difference tends to be enlarged; the Central Delta Urban Agglomeration is at the lower level of the balanced development stage, for the green growth pole has not formed yet; while the Yangtze River Delta is at the higher level of unbalanced development stage, the green growth pole has been formed and obvious diffusing effect has been generated; the green efficiency of provincial capitals in both the Central Delta and the Yangtze River Delta is comparatively lower, the key is green transformation.

Key words: the Central Delta; the Yangtze River Delta; DEA; Malmquist index; green efficiency