A content addressable memory based on a self-rectifying ferroelectric tunnel junction element comprises: a cell array unit having a plurality of TCAM cells, each comprising two self-rectifying ferroelectric tunnel junction elements (SR-FTJ) connected between a corresponding match line of a plurality of match lines extending in a first direction and a corresponding bit line pair of a plurality of bit line pairs extending in a second direction; a precharge unit precharging a corresponding match line of the plurality of match lines to a power supply voltage level in response to a precharge signal; and a data input/output unit having a plurality of access transistor pairs electrically connecting or disconnecting a corresponding bit line pair among the plurality of bit line pairs and a source line, in response to a voltage applied through a corresponding search line pair among a plurality of search line pairs according to data to be written or searched.