An organic electroluminescent element includes, in order, a first electrode, an organic light-emitting layer, a buffer layer, a metal thin film, an organic electron transport layer, and a second electrode. The buffer layer includes an electrically-conductive organic material. The metal thin film includes a metal or a metal alloy. The organic electron transport layer is doped with a metal. The metal in the metal thin film is the same as the metal doped in the organic electron transport layer. The metal alloy in the metal thin film includes a metal that is the same as the metal doped in the organic electron transport layer.