A plasma display panel comprises first and second substrates so opposed to each other as to define a discharge space between them, a scan electrode and a sustain electrode both provided on the first substrate, a dielectric layer covering the scan and sustain electrodes, and a protective layer formed on the dielectric layer. The protective layer contains MgO, at least one element among Si, Ge, C and Sn, and at least one element of groups IV, V, VI and VII of the periodic table. The discharge characteristics such as the drive voltage of the plasma display panel are stable, and therefore the plasma display panel stably displays an image.