A light emitting element includes a laminated structure formed by laminating a first light reflecting layer 41, a light emitting structure 20, and a second light reflecting layer 42. The light emitting structure 20 is formed by laminating, from the first light reflecting layer side, a first compound semiconductor layer 21, an active layer 23, and a second compound semiconductor layer 22. In the laminated structure 20, at least two light absorbing material layers 51 are formed in parallel to a virtual plane occupied by the active layer 23.