To provide an organic electroluminescent element improved in quantum efficiency, emission lifetime and dark spots, and to provide a lighting system and a display device.

An organic electroluminescent element contains a metal complex having at least one ligand represented by the following general formula (G) and having central metal belonging to groups VIII-X of the Periodic Table. General formula (G): A-B [In the formula, A represents a ring bonded to the central metal, B represents a 5-membered aromatic heterocyclic ring, and a ligand represented by the general formula (G) has at least one substituent represented by general formula (1).] [In the formula, at least one of Y¹-Y³ represents a branched alkyl group.]