A composition for exhaust gas purification containing Y—Mn—O and Al2O3 and having a specific surface area (SSA) retention satisfying inequality (1) SSA retention (%) >−61.54×(Y—Mn—O ratio)+75.55 and inequality (2) SSA retention (%) >45 (2), where SSA retention is represented by (SSA after aging)/(initial SSA)×100 (%). The SSA after aging and the initial SSA are as defined in the description. The Y—Mn—O ratio is a mass ratio of Y—Mn—O to the sum of Y—Mn—O and Al2O3 in the composition for exhaust gas purification, being represented by Y—Mn—O/(Y—Mn—O+Al2O3).