The invention discloses an information recording medium (100) capable of recording information through the irradiation with light or the application of electric energy, which comprises a recording layer (115) capable of causing phase change as the essential constituent. The recording layer (115) contains antimony (Sb), carbon (C), and a light element (L) having an atomic weight of less than 33 andit is preferable that the light element (L) be at least one element selected from among B, N, O, Mg, Al and S. The recording layer (115) may be made of a material which is represented by the composition formula: Sb100-x-yCxLy, wherein 100-x-y, x and y are contents of Sb, C and L in atomic percentage respectively! and satisfies the relationship: x + y <= 50.