The imbalanced, maladjusted, and uncontrolled phenomenon in the regional water resources system is caused by the combined disturbances of climate change and human activities. The socio-economic and ecological systems are restricted, and the combined carrying capacity also changes accordingly. In order to explore the above changes, based on the influence mechanism of climate change, socioeconomic system and ecosystem on water resources system, this paper systematically reviews the relevant research progress in water resources carrying capacity (WRCC), from the basic theory of water resources carrying capacity, the construction of evaluation index system, the classification criteria and evaluation methods, etc. This review provides basic theoretical and technical support for the study of generalized water resources carrying capacity considering the interlinked climate-ecology-society system, which is conducive to the promotion of water resources carrying capacity and the synergistic development of socio-economic and ecological environment under a changing climate.