The invention provides a video decoding method. In methods in which coding is performed by switching, per area, between a predicted image generated by an existing coding standard and an image newly generated by performing motion estimation between decoded images, it is necessary to further provide determination information as to which image is to be used, which may in some cases result in compression efficiency that is inferior to those of conventional standards depending on the input video. By determining whether a predicted image generated by an existing coding standard is to be used or an image newly generated by performing motion estimation between decoded images is to be used based on coding information within the frame to be coded or within a previously coded frame, the need for such determination information is obviated to improve compression efficiency.