Carbonatite- type rare earth (REE) deposits are the primary source of REE in the world. Phosphate is a common component in this mineralization system, but there is still a lack of systematic understanding of its role in the REE mineralization process of carbonatite. This article reviews the role of phosphate in the origin, evolution, and REE enrichment of the carbonatites and proposes current problems and research prospects. Phosphorus has a very high solubility in the carbonate melt. The presence of phosphorus is conducive to the preferential partitioning of REE into carbonate melt during the extremely low- degree mantle partial melting process and the carbonate—silicate liquid immiscibility process, therefore forming a pre- enrichment of REE in the initial carbonatitic melt. During the evolution of carbonatite magma, REE will preferentially enter immiscible phosphate melts or phosphate minerals such as monazite and apatite. The behavior of these melts and minerals is likely to be a key factor controlling REE's behavior and mineralization potential in the system. The REE- rich phosphate mineral formed during the magmatic stage can also be a source of REE mineralization in hydrothermal processes. Phosphate mineral is also an effective precipitator for REE in the hydrothermal process, which is conducive to mineralizing light and heavy REE in the late hydrothermal fluid stage. In the future, more attention should be paid to the role of phosphate in the evolution of the carbonatitic magmatic stage and the enrichment mechanism of heavy REE in this system, and experimental petrology and melt inclusion studies should be carried out for specific mineralization processes.