A ridge waveguide semiconductor laser includes an active layer, semiconductor layers on the active layer and having a ridge-shaped waveguide, an insulating film on the semiconductor layer, a first electrode layer in contact with the semiconductor layer through an opening in the insulating film, and a second electrode layer on the first electrode layer having a stripe shape and extending along the waveguide. A distance from an end face of a resonator of the laser to an edge of the second electrode layer does not exceed 20 .mu.m.