The present invention provides an organic electroluminescent element including, between an anode and a cathode, at least a luminescent layer and an adjacent layer that is adjacent to the cathode side of the luminescent layer, wherein the luminescent layer contains a phosphorescent material and a host material, the adjacent layer contains an electron transport material and a hole transport material, and the electron affinity Ea (HT) of the hole transport material and the electron affinity Ea (ET) of the electron transport material satisfy the relation of 1 eV.ltoreq.Ea (ET)-Ea (HT).ltoreq.2.8 eV.