In order to explore the relationship between the ratio of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (NHHR) and the risk of rapid decline in kidney function, data from the China health and retirement longitudinal study(CHARLS) conducted in 2011 and 2015 was utilized. It includes 4 055 participants aged 40 and above with a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of at least 60 mL/(min·1.73m²), calculated using serum creatinine and cystatin C levels. Rapid kidney function decline is defined as a decrease in eGFR of 3 mL/(min·1.73m²·a). A multivariable logistic regression model was used to investigate the association between NHHR and the risk of rapid kidney function decline. Additionally, restricted cubic spline and threshold effect analyses were used to evaluate the dose-response relationship. The results show that over the 4-year follow-up, 447 participants (11.02%) experienced rapid decline in kidney function. In the fully adjusted multivariable logistic regression model, those in the highest NHHR group (T3) faced a 1.94-fold increased risk of rapid kidney function decline compared to the lowest NHHR group(T1) (OR = 1.94,95% CI:1.46~2.61). As a continuous variable, each unit increase in NHHR is associated with a 1.21-fold increase in risk (OR = 1.21,95% CI:1.08~1.36). The restricted cubic spline analysis demonstrates a near logarithmic curve saturation effect between NHHR and rapid kidney function decline (P_nonlinearity < 0.05). It is concluded that with NHHR ≤3.52, the risk increases as NHHR rises, while NHHR > 3.52 marks a saturation point. In conclusion, among middle-aged and elderly individuals, a higher NHHR is linked to a greater risk of rapid decline in kidney function, displaying a nonlinear relationship.