A light-emitting element using GaN. On a substrate (10), formed are an SiN buffer layer (12), a GaN buffer layer (14), an undoped GaN layer (16), an Si-doped n-GaN layer (18), an SLS layer (20), an undoped GaN layer (22), an MQW light-emitting layer (24), an SLS layer (26), and a p-GaN layer (28), forming a p electrode (30) and an n electrode (32). The MQW light-emitting layer (24) has a structure in which InGaN well layers and AlGaN barrier layers are alternated. The Al content ratios of the SLS layers (20, and 26) are more than 5% and less than 24%. The In content ratio of the well layer in the MQW light-emitting layer (24) is more than 3% and less than 20%. The Al content ratio of the barrier layer is more than 1% and less than 30%. By adjusting the content ratio and film thickness of each layer to a desired value, the light luminous efficiency for wavelength of less than 400 nm is improved.