<p>This invention provides an organic electroluminescent element comprising a plurality of organic semiconductor layers, which are disposed in a laminated state between a pair of opposed anode and cathode and include an organic luminescent layer, and an n-type dopant-containing electron transport layer provided between a cathode and an organic luminescent layer, the n-type dopant-containing electron transport layer formed of a mixture composed of a second component of an n-type dopant containing an electron donating metal atom or its ion mixed into a first component of an organic compound having electron transport properties. The organic electroluminescent element further comprises an n-type dopant block layer which contains a heavy atom compound containing at least one heavy atom having an atomic weight of not less than 79 and is in contact with the interface of the n-type dopant-containing electron transport layer.</p>
