In an organic EL element, a light-emitting layer is divided into at least three layers in a thickness direction including a light-emitting layer A close to an anode, a light-emitting layer C close to a cathode and a light-emitting layer B between the light-emitting layers A and C, wherein in one embodiment a thickness (a) of the light-emitting layer A, a thickness (c) of the light-emitting layer C and a thickness (b) of the light-emitting layer B satisfy the relationship of ab>c is satisfied, and an intermediate layer containing a hole blocking material is disposed between the divided light-emitting layers.