A positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery includes: a core having a layered structure; and a surface layer on at least one portion of the surface of the core and including an oxide, wherein the oxide includes at least one first element and at least one second element each selected from Ti, Zr, F, Mg, Al, P, and a combination thereof, the first element and the second element being different from one another, the first element included in the positive active material in an amount of about 0.01 mol % to about 0.2 mol % based on a total weight of the positive active material, and the second element included in the positive active material in an amount of about 0.02 mol % to about 0.5 mol % based on a total weight of the positive active material. A rechargeable lithium battery includes the positive active material.