In an electron emission element having an emitter section for emitting electrons, the emitter section includes, on a first conductive electrode, a structure in which at least a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, an insulating layer and a second conductive electrode are deposited sequentially; and the first and second semiconductor layers include at least one of carbon, silicon and germanium as a main component, and the first semiconductor layer includes at least one type of atoms among carbon atom, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms which is different from the main component.