There is provided a display element which is constituted of simple members, can achieve low-voltage drive and exhibits high display contrast and superior response speed. The display element comprises opposed electrodes having therebetween an electrolyte layer containing silver or a silver-containing compound, wherein the opposed electrodes are driven so that silver is dissolved and deposited and the electrolyte layer further contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by formula (1), (2) or (3). ##STR00001##