To provide a display element which can be driven at a low voltage with high display contrast in a simple member structure and which has excellent durability and flexure durability of the electrode.

The display element has an electrolyte layer containing silver or a compound containing silver in a chemical structure between opposed electrodes, and is operated by driving the opposed electrodes so as to induce dissolution and precipitation of silver. At least one electrode in the opposed electrodes is a composite electrode having a metal auxiliary electrode attached to a transparent electrode.