A piezoelectric element comprising a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer which is composed of a metal oxide containing lead, zirconium and titanium and which formed above the first electrode, and a second electrode formed above the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer has negatively charged Pb—O complex defects and positively charged Pb—O complex defects, the concentration of the negatively charged Pb—O complex defects being higher than the concentration of the positively charged Pb—O complex defects.