Abstract: This paper reviewed the recent progress in the photodegradation mechanism and influence factors, photodegradation additives and photodegradation controllability of polyolefins and also discussed the development trend in the photodegradation of polyolefins. The photodegradable performance of polyolefins was found to be associated with the chemical composition, functional groups, additives and environmental conditions like stress. To achieve a controllable degradation for polyolefins, it is vital to select suitable photodegradants and relevant stabilizers as well as their coordination in the resin. In this field, the main attention will be focused on the development of special photodegradants and relevant compounding products and the improvement of photodegradation rate. Moreover, it is also of importance for the development of photodegradation-controllable polyolefins in an ecologically friendly way with a reduced cost.