A surface-enhanced Raman scattering element comprises a substrate having a principal surface; a molded layer having a support part formed on the principal surface of the substrate so as to extend along the principal surface and a fine structure part formed on the support part; and a conductor layer formed on the fine structure part and constituting an optical functional part for generating surface-enhanced Raman scattering; the molded layer being relatively thinner in a direction intersecting the principal surface of the substrate at a center edge part of a fine structure area formed with the fine structure part in the molded layer than at an outer edge part of the fine structure area.