A vertical cavity light-emitting element includes: a first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer; an active layer; a second-conductivity-type semiconductor layer that are formed in this order on a first reflector; an insulating current confinement layer formed on the second-conductivity-type semiconductor layer; a through opening formed in the current confinement layer; a transparent electrode covering the through opening and the current confinement layer and being in contact with the second-conductivity-type semiconductor layer via the through opening; and a second reflector formed on the transparent electrode. At least one of a portion of the transparent electrode corresponding to the opening and a portion of the second-conductivity-type semiconductor layer corresponding to the opening that are in contact with each other in the through opening includes a first resistive region disposed along an inner circumference of the through opening and a second resistive region disposed on a center region of the through opening.