A method for manufacturing polycarbonate by melt-polycondensing bisphenol and carbonic acid diester uses as catalyst an alkali metal compound and/or alkaline earth metal compound (a). The catalyst is added to the bisphenol prior to the melt polycondensation, in an effective amount, i.e., the amount of alkali metal compound and/or alkaline earth metal compound (a) that acts effectively as a catalyst, is contained in said bisphenol, and is controlled to have the same catalytic activity as 1null10null8 to 1null10null6 mole of bisphenol disodium salt per mole of pure bisphenol A. The method conducts the reaction efficiently from the initial stage in a stable manner to obtain polycarbonate with good color, good heat stability and color stability during molding and the like.