The particulate water absorbent has a cross-linking structure therein, and contains (i) a particulate water absorbent resin having a cross-linking structure on a surface therof and (ii) not less than 0.001 mass % and less than 10 mass % of anorganic acid multivalent metal salt whose molecule contains not less than seven carbon atoms. Futher, the particulate water absorbent contains 90 mass % of particles, whose particle diameter is not less than 106 .mu.m and 850 .mu.m, with respect to the particulate water absorbent.