Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer pellets comprise an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and water, and have a water content of not higher than 0.5 wt. %, wherein the ratio (Y/Z) of a lactone ring content (Y) to the sum (Z) of a carboxylic acid content (X) and the lactone ring content (Y) in terminal structures of the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer is not less than 60 mol %. The pellets are excellent in high-temperature thermal decomposition-suppressing effect and thermal stability, and are free from odor emanation and coloration even if being processed at a higher temperature.