To provide a method for efficiently producing an aliphatic saturated carboxylic acid from an alkane in a high yield under a mild condition.

The method for producing an aliphatic saturated carboxylic acid comprises oxidizing an alkane with oxygen in the presence of a nitrogen atom-containing cyclic compound catalyst containing a skeleton represented by formula (i) (X is an oxygen atom or an -OR group (R is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy protecting group)) as a constituent element of the ring to obtain an aliphatic saturated carboxylic acid having the number of carbons smaller than that of the alkane. An aliphatic saturated carboxylic acid is preferably used as a reaction solvent. A metal compound may be used as a promoter.