A negative electrode for rechargeable lithium batteries includes a current collector, a porous active material layer having a metal-based active material disposed on the current collector, and a high-strength binder layer on the porous active material layer. The high-strength binder layer has a strength ranging from 5 to 70 MPa. The negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery according to the present invention can improve cycle-life characteristics by suppressing volume expansion and reactions of an electrolyte at the electrode surface.