A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes sintered laminated bodies having a plurality of dielectric layers alternately stacked with a multiplicity of internal electrodes, and a pair of external electrodes electrically coupled to the internal electrodes. The dielectric layer is of sintered ceramic grains. The ceramic grains include a core portion surrounded by a shell portion or a solid solution. The ceramic grains contain additive elements such as acceptor elements and/or rare earth elements. The additive elements are non-uniformly distributed in the core and/or shell portion of the ceramic grain or in the solid solution. Such non-uniform distribution of the additive elements in ceramic grains promotes or facilitates the re-oxidation process of the ceramic grains and also increases electrical resistance thereof. Accordingly, the operating life characteristics of the multilayer ceramic capacitors, especially those incorporating therein thin dielectric layers, can be improved.