A plasma display panel has a front panel (10) and a back panel (20) that is arranged with a discharge space (30) therebetween. On the surface of the front panel facing toward the discharge space, a scan electrode (102) and a sustain electrode (103) are arranged. A dielectric layer (104) and a protective layer (105) are provided to cover the electrodes thereof and the surface. Between the scan electrode and the sustain electrode, a recessed portion (10a) is arranged in the first panel surface. The bottom surface (10b) of the recessed portion is arranged more inward in a thickness direction of the first substrate than the surfaces of the first electrode and the second electrode facing the discharge space whereby low power consumption, improved luminous efficiency, and a suppressed increase of firing voltage is achieved.