A dispersion-shifted optical fiber is obtained that has a refractive index distribution shape comprising a center core portion of high refractive index, a step core portion of lower refractive index than the center core portion, provided about the outer circumference thereof, and clad of lower refractive index than the step core portion, provided about the outer circumference of the step core, in which, by suitably setting structural parameters, both Aeff expansion and dispersion slope reduction are satisfactorily effected, simultaneously, under conditions that the optical fiber is substantially single-mode, and bending loss is held down to 100 dB/m or lower.