A power generation element and an actuator for vibration power generation is provided that can be mass-produced at low cost while achieving increase in electromotive force. A power generation element includes a main series magnetic circuit having a frame yoke made of magnetic material and provided with a fixed portion that is one end and a free portion that is the other end across a U-shaped bent portion, a main magnet that applies a magnetic bias to the frame yoke, and a first gap formed at a position in contact with the free portion; and an auxiliary series magnetic circuit having an auxiliary yoke made of magnetic material and attached to the frame yoke, an auxiliary magnet that gives a magnetic bias to the auxiliary yoke, a second gap formed at a position facing the first gap across the free portion, the frame yoke, the main magnet, and the first gap. The amount of change in a main magnetic flux passing in a coil wound around the frame yoke increases when the free portion vibrates due to application of an external force and a magnetic resistance of the first gap and a magnetic resistance of the second gap increase or decrease reciprocally.