In a permanent magnet electric motor, a plurality of projections are formed at least partially along an axial direction in the magnet insertion openings, the projection positioning both edges of the permanent magnet in the circumferential direction so that vacant spaces are defined at each sides of the permanent magnet in the circumferential direction; a plurality of slits arranged along the circumferential direction are provided in regions, the region being positioned radially outward from the permanent magnet and being sandwiched at the edges of the permanent magnet in the circumferential direction by the projections; and the shortest distance between the slit and the magnet insertion opening is set to be greater than the shortest distance between the slit and an outer circumferential surface of the rotor core.