Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) has caused considerable losses in the global production of grain crops such as wheat, barley and maize. We investigated the phylodynamics of the virus by analysing 379 and 485 nucleotide sequences of the genes encoding the coat protein and movement protein, respectively. The maximum clade credibility tree indicated that BYDV-GAV and BYDV-MAV, BYDV-PAV and BYDV-PAS share the same evolutionary lineage, respectively. The diversification of BYDV arises from its adaptability to vector insects and geography. Bayesian phylogenetic analyses showed that the mean substitution rates of the coat and movement proteins of BYDV ranged from 8.327 × 10− 4(4.700 × 10− 4–1.228 × 10− 3) and 8.671 × 10− 4(6.143 × 10− 4–1.130 × 10− 3) substitutions/site/year, respectively. The time since the most recent common BYDV ancestor was 1434 (1040–1766) CE (Common Era). The Bayesian skyline plot (BSP) showed that the BYDV population experienced dramatic expansions approximately 8 years into the 21st century, followed by a dramatic decline in less than 15 years. Our phylogeographic analysis showed that the BYDV population originating in the United States was subsequently introduced to Europe, South America, Australia and Asia. The migration pathways of BYDV suggest that the global spread of BYDV is associated with human activities.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12985-023-02084-1.