It is an object of the present invention to provide an organic electroluminescent element having a longer lifetime. In order to accomplish the object, an organic electroluminescent element adapted to comprise a light emitting layer including an organic material between an anode and a cathode is provided with a hole transport layer for transporting holes injected from the anode toward the light emitting layer. Along with the hole transport layer, an intermediate layer having an energy level of a lowest unoccupied molecular orbital lower than those of the hole transport layer and the light emitting layer is provided therebetween.