<p>Provided is a multilayer piezoelectric actuator in which a split is not likely to occur in part of an external electrode due to stress and that is not likely to be damaged due to the progression of a crack even in the case where such a split occurs, and that is excellent in terms of reliability. External electrodes 9 are formed on external surfaces of a multilayer piezoelectric body 2 in which a plurality of internal electrodes and a plurality of piezoelectric layers are stacked on top of one another and each of the external electrodes 9 includes a base electrode 10 and a stress-absorbing electrode member 11 formed on the base electrode. The stress-absorbing electrode member 11 includes an elastic structure 11a that elastically deforms when subject to an external force and fixed portions 11b and 11c that are fixed to the base electrode 10. The fixed portions 11b and 11c have a shape that extends parallel to edge portions 6a to 8a of internal electrodes 6 to 8 and each of the fixed portions 11b to 11g has a width dimension that does not reach an adjacent internal electrode in the stacking direction.</p>
