Disclosed are a negative electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same. The negative electrode includes a current collector, a negative active material composition layer disposed on the surface of the current collector and including a negative active material, and an inorganic salt layer disposed on the surface of the negative active material composition layer and including an inorganic salt. The negative active material includes a silicon-based core and a carbon layer disposed on the surface of the silicon-based core. The inorganic salt includes an alkaline metal cation selected from a Na cation, a K cation, or a combination thereof; and an anion selected from a carbonate anion, a halogen anion, or a combination thereof.