The inventive production method of maleic anhydride comprises contacting a mixed gas (containing benzene and oxidizing gas) with catalyst bed layers A, B, C and D. The catalyst bed layers contain vanadium-containing compound, molybdenum-containing compound, sodium-containing compound, phosphorus-containing compound, and nickel-containing compound. The catalyst bed layers A, B, C and D have a ratio of molar ratio of molybdenum-containing compound to vanadium-containing compound of 1:(0.5-1):(0.4-0.9):(0.25-1), a ratio of molar ratio of phosphorus-containing compound to vanadium-containing compound of 1:(0.1-0.8):(0.1-0.8):(0.1-0.8), and a ratio of molar ratio of nickel-containing compound to vanadium-containing compound of 1:(0.4-0.8):(0.3-0.7):(0.25-0.6). The above ratios are reduced in sequence of the catalyst bed layer A, catalyst bed layer B, catalyst bed layer C, and catalyst bed layer D. The invention can increase benzene concentration in the mixed gas material, and sufficiently convert benzene to improve final maleic anhydride yield.