To provide an organic electroluminescent element having a high open-area ratio, good electrical characteristics, little unevenness of luminescence, homogeneous luminescence, and excellent emission efficiency, and to provide a lighting device, a planar light source, and a display device using the organic electroluminescent element.

The electroluminescent element has an auxiliary electrode having a lower resistance than that of a transparent second electrode as either a positive or the negative electrode fitted to the second electrode. Further, the transparent second electrode is composed of laminated three layers, that is, a first, second and third layer in that order from a luminescent layer side, which are respectively composed of specific materials, with a transmittance of visible light of the third layer of 40% or more. The auxiliary electrode is equipped with a frame-shaped first auxiliary electrode connected with the second electrode, and a second auxiliary electrode which is mounted in the frame of the first auxiliary electrode and electrically connected with the first auxiliary electrode and has a narrower line width than the first auxiliary electrode.

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