An encoding method for skipped macroblocks in a video image includes the steps of: adding one indication bit into a picture header for indicating a coding mode for skipped macroblocks in a current image; selecting the coding mode for a macroblock type in the current image according to the number of skipped macroblocks, if it is a run_length coding, then setting the indication bit of the picture header as a status indicating a run_length coding, and encoding the macroblock type in the image by the run_length coding mode; if it is a joint coding, then setting the indication bit of the picture header as status indicating a joint coding and encoding the macroblock type in the image by the joint coding mode of the number of skipped macroblocks and the macroblock type; finally, encoding other data in the current macroblock and writing data into a code stream.