A liquid crystal display element according to the present invention includes one or more sets of combinations of a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer composed of a liquid crystal composition indicating a cholesteric phase and disposed between the pair of substrates, and at least one layer of insulating thin film to insulate the liquid crystal layer from an electrode, wherein: the insulating thin film has an electrostatic capacity of not more than 10 μF; the liquid crystal layer has a layer thickness in the range of 2 to 5 μm; and the liquid crystal composition has a dielectric anisotropy in the range of 20 to 50. The present invention can realize at least one of lowered driving voltage, enlarged operating temperature range, decrease in electric power consumption and wide display maintaining temperature range, in a liquid crystal display element having a semi-permanent display maintaining function (memory function).