The present invention provides an organic EL element having high luminous efficacy and productivity and an organic EL panel including the organic EL element. The organic electroluminescent element of the present invention includes, in the given order, an anode, a hole-transport layer, a luminescent unit, an electron-transport layer, and a cathode. The luminescent unit includes a mixed light-emitting layer and includes a luminescent dopant layer at least between the hole-transport layer and the mixed light-emitting layer or between the electron-transport layer and the mixed light-emitting layer. The mixed light-emitting layer contains a first luminescent host material and a first luminescent dopant material. The luminescent dopant layer consists essentially of a second luminescent dopant material and is thinner than the mixed light-emitting layer.