A light emitting device is provided that makes it possible to reduce absorption of light by an electrode. The light emitting device includes a substrate, and a laminated structure provided to the substrate, wherein the laminated structure includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer different in conductivity type from the first semiconductor layer, and an active layer disposed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, the first semiconductor layer is disposed between the substrate and the active layer, a recessed part is disposed at an opposite side to the substrate side of the laminated structure, the recessed part is provided with a low refractive-index part lower in refractive index than the second semiconductor layer, a depth of the recessed part is no larger than a distance between a surface at an opposite side to the substrate side of the laminated structure and the active layer, and an electrode is disposed at an opposite side to the substrate side of the laminated structure.