The present invention pertains to a nematic liquid crystal composition having negative dielectric anisotropy (Δε), containing a polymerizable compound, and useful as a liquid crystal display material, and pertains to a liquid crystal display element in which the nematic liquid crystal composition is used. This liquid crystal composition is obtained by polymerizing a polymerizable compound without inhibiting the formation of a pretilt angle in liquid crystal molecules by irradiation with ultraviolet rays in order to produce an element, and can provide a fast-response PSA-type display element in which the pretilt angle is adequately imparted thereby, satisfactory orientation stability is obtained, display defects are absent or inhibited, and high display quality is obtained. A liquid crystal display element in which this liquid crystal composition is used can serve as a liquid crystal display element for active matrix driving, and can be applied to PSVA-mode liquid crystal display elements.