The main object of the present invention is to provide a cathode active material for a lithium battery capable of inhibiting resistance from increasing with time. The present invention attains the object by providing a cathode active material for a lithium battery comprising: a cathode active material containing an Mn element and being an oxide; and a coating portion formed on a surface of the cathode active material, characterized in that the coating portion contains a Li element, a P element, an O element and the Mn element derived from the cathode active material, and a ratio of the Mn element to the P element, (Mn/P) is 1 or more at an interface between the cathode active material and the coating portion.