There is provided a multilayer ceramic electronic component, including: a ceramic body including a dielectric layer having an average thickness of 0.6 μm or less; and first and second inner electrode layers within the ceramic body, disposed to face each other with the dielectric layer interposed therebetween, wherein the dielectric layer includes contact dielectric grains in contact with the first or second inner electrode layer and non-contact dielectric grains not in contact with the first or second inner electrode layer, and, when an average thickness of the dielectric layer is defined as td and an average diameter of the contact dielectric grains is defined as De, De/td≦0.35 is satisfied. The multilayer ceramic electronic component has improved continuity of the inner electrode layer, large capacitance, extended accelerated lifespan and excellent reliability.