A light emitting device has a light emitter defining an optical axis; and a luminous flux control member with an incident surface in a back surface and intersecting the optical axis, a reflection surface opposite the back surface, an emission surface connecting the back surface to the reflection surface, and a first recessed portion formed on the back surface farther from the optical axis than the incident surface and having a first inclined surface closer to the reflection surface with increasing distance from the optical axis, a front end of the first inclined surface such that a substantial portion of light emitted from the center region of the light emitter and reflected by the reflection surface do not strike the first inclined surface, and such that a substantial portion of light emitted from the light emitter and not reflected by the reflection surface strikes the first inclined surface.