To provide a Mach-Zehnder (MZ) type semiconductor optical modulation element that can be used as a modulator, which is ultrafast and excellent in electrical stability. A semiconductor optical modulation element of a Mach-Zehnder type that performs modulation of light using a refractive index modulation region where a refractive index of the light guided to an optical waveguide is modulated and an input and output region where multiplexing/demultiplexing of the light split in the refractive index modulation region is performed, characterized in that in the refractive index modulation region of the optical waveguide, an n-type clad layer, an i core layer, and a p-type clad layer are stacked in the order from a top layer on a substrate surface equivalent to a (100) plane of a sphalerite-type semi-insulating semiconductor crystal substrate, the n-type clad layer is formed in a ridge shape in an inverted mesa direction, and a capacitance-loaded electrode is provided on the n-type clad layer.