Provided is an organic EL element which has excellent luminous efficiency by improving the cathode. An organic EL element which is configured of a cathode, an anode and one or more organic compound layers provided between the electrodes, and wherein the cathode is formed of a transparent conductive film that is formed on a glass substrate and is configured from an indium oxide compound and an element having a high work function, so that the cathode has a high work function matched to the HOMO of an organic hole transport layer among the organic compound layers. Consequently, holes can be easily injected from the cathode to the organic hole transport layer, and the present invention is therefore suitable for manufacturing an organic EL element having excellent luminous efficiency.