A water-absorbent sheet structure comprising a structure in which an absorbent layer containing a water-absorbent resin is sandwiched with a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric from an upper side and a lower side of the absorbent layer, characterized in that at least one side of the upper side and the lower side of the water-absorbent sheet structure is subjected to embossing, wherein a central region W1 of a water-absorbent sheet structure 1 along a longitudinal direction of the structure 1 is subjected to: wavy embossing 2 comprising one wavy embossing extending along the longitudinal direction, wherein the embossing comprises one or more discontinued segments of the embossing, and linear embossing 4 in a direction from each of tips 3 of wavy forms formed by the wavy embossing 2 towards an edge portion contouring along the longitudinal direction of the water-absorbent sheet structure 1, and wherein a branched structure of embossing formed by the wavy embossing 2 and the linear embossing 4 has an approximate Y-shape-form, and wherein the edge portion contouring along the longitudinal direction of the water-absorbent sheet structure 1 comprises non-embossing regions W2, W2′ not subjected to embossing, extending along the longitudinal direction, and further wherein an area of the embossing provided on the water-absorbent sheet structure 1 is from 2 to 25% of an entire area of the water-absorbent sheet structure 1 and an absorbent article comprising the water-absorbent sheet structure, sandwiched between a liquid-permeable sheet and a liquid-impermeable sheet. According to the present invention, some effects are exhibited that a water-absorbent sheet structure which has a fast permeation rate of a liquid and is less likely to cause liquid leakage can be provided by subjecting at least an upper side or a lower side of the water-absorbent sheet structure to a specified emboss shape even when the water-absorbent sheet structure contains very little amount of pulps.
