A high-pressure mercury discharge lamp comprises a light-transmitting discharge vessel having a region surrounding a discharge space and seal portion, a spaced apart electrodes disposed in the discharge vessel and defining a discharge path, and a filling contained in the discharge vessel including mercury, halogen and lithium (Li). Components of the filling are selected such that a ratio of relative spectral energies B/A is within a range 0.15 to 0.45; wherein A represents the relative spectral energy of mercury (Hg) within a wavelenth range of 402.5 nm to 407.5 nm, and B represents the rlative spectral energy of lithium (Li) within a wavelength range of 667.5 nm to 672.5 nm.