A resist composition including a base component (A) that exhibits changed solubility in a developing solution under action of acid and an acid generator component (B) that generates acid upon exposure, wherein the base component (A) contains a resin component (A1) including a structural unit (a0) represented by general formula (a0-1) shown below and a structural unit (a1)) containing an acid decomposable group that exhibits increased polarity under action of acid, and the amount of the structural unit (a0) is less than 50 mol %, wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a halogenated alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms; R1 represents a divalent linking group; R2 represents a —SO2— containing cyclic group; and v represents 0 or 1.