A resist composition is disclosed that enables formation of a favorable resist pattern using a shrink process in which, following formation of the resist pattern, a treatment such as heating is used to narrow the resist pattern, and also disclosed are a laminate and a method for forming a resist pattern that use such a resist composition. This resist composition includes a resin component (A) that displays changed alkali solubility under the action of acid, and an acid generator component (B) that generates acid on exposure. The component (A) contains structural units derived from a (meth)acrylate ester, and exhibits a glass transition temperature that falls within a range from 120 to 170.degree. C.