An organic electroluminescent element comprising an anode and a cathode having therebetween a light emitting layer containing a phosphorescent compound in an amount expressed as a percent by weight; and (a) a hole blocking layer 1 provided adjacent to the light emitting layer and between the light emitting layer and the cathode, wherein hole blocking layer 1 contains a phosphorescent compound in an amount expressed as a percent by weight; and a content of the phosphorescent compound contained in hole blocking layer 1 is in the range of 0.1 to 20% of a content of the phosphorescent compound contained in the light emitting layer; or (b) an electron blocking layer 1 provided adjacent to the light emitting layer and between the light emitting layer and the anode, wherein electron blocking layer 1 contains a phosphorescent compound in an amount expressed as a percent by weight; and a content of the phosphorescent compound contained in electron blocking layer 1 is in the range of 0.1 to 20% of a content of the phosphorescent compound contained in the light emitting layer; or (c) a hole blocking layer 1 provided adjacent to the light emitting layer and between the light emitting layer and the cathode; and an electron blocking layer 1 provided adjacent to the light emitting layer and between the light emitting layer and the anode, wherein hole blocking layer 1 contains a phosphorescent compound in an amount expressed as a percent by weight; a content of the phosphorescent compound contained in hole blocking layer 1 is in the range of 0.1 to 20% of a content of the phosphorescent compound contained in the light emitting layer; electron blocking layer 1 contains a phosphorescent compound in an amount expressed as a percent by weight; and a content of the phosphorescent compound contained in electron blocking layer 1 is in the range of 0.1 to 20% of a content of the phosphorescent compound contained in the light emitting layer. (a) a hole blocking layer 1 provided adjacent to the light emitting layer and between the light emitting layer and the cathode, wherein hole blocking layer 1 contains a phosphorescent compound in an amount expressed as a percent by weight; and a content of the phosphorescent compound contained in hole blocking layer 1 is in the range of 0.1 to 20% of a content of the phosphorescent compound contained in the light emitting layer; or (b) an electron blocking layer 1 provided adjacent to the light emitting layer and between the light emitting layer and the anode, wherein electron blocking layer 1 contains a phosphorescent compound in an amount expressed as a percent by weight; and a content of the phosphorescent compound contained in electron blocking layer 1 is in the range of 0.1 to 20% of a content of the phosphorescent compound contained in the light emitting layer; or (c) a hole blocking layer 1 provided adjacent to the light emitting layer and between the light emitting layer and the cathode; and an electron blocking layer 1 provided adjacent to the light emitting layer and between the light emitting layer and the anode, wherein hole blocking layer 1 contains a phosphorescent compound in an amount expressed as a percent by weight; a content of the phosphorescent compound contained in hole blocking layer 1 is in the range of 0.1 to 20% of a content of the phosphorescent compound contained in the light emitting layer; electron blocking layer 1 contains a phosphorescent compound in an amount expressed as a percent by weight; and a content of the phosphorescent compound contained in electron blocking layer 1 is in the range of 0.1 to 20% of a content of the phosphorescent compound contained in the light emitting layer.