PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water-absorbing agent having enhanced performance in both the centrifuge retention capacity and the absorption against pressure (particularly, the vertical diffusion absorption amount) of a water-absorbing resin, and also to provide at low cost a water-absorbing agent which can provide an absorbent body having a large absorption amount in a diaper, having improved diffusibility and liquid permeability, and having a smaller re-wet amount.SOLUTION: This invention relates to a particulate water-absorbing agent containing a surface-crosslinked polyacrylic acid (salt)-based water-absorbing resin as a main component, and containing at least one spacer selected from a polycation and water-insoluble fine particles, wherein the particulate water-absorbing agent satisfies a free swell capacity (FSC) of 55 to 65 [g/g], an absorption against pressure (AAP-4.83 kPa) of 20 to 30 [g/g], and a vertical diffusion absorption amount under pressure (VDAUP-4.83 kPa) of 30 to 80 g.【課題】吸水性樹脂の無加圧下吸水倍率と加圧下吸収性能(特に垂直拡散吸収量)の双方の性能を高めた吸水剤を提供し、オムツにおいても吸収量が高く、かつ拡散性、通液性が改善されて戻り量が少ない吸収体を提供することが出来る吸水剤を安価に提供することにある。【解決手段】表面架橋されたポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂を主成分とし、ポリカチオン及び水不溶性微粒子から選ばれる少なくとも1種のスペーサーを含む粒子状吸水剤であって、粒子状吸水剤の無加圧下吊り下げ吸水倍率(FSC)が55~65[g/g]であり、加圧下吸水倍率(AAP-4.83kPa)が20~30[g/g]であり、かつ、加圧下垂直拡散吸収量(VDAUP-4.83kPa)が30~80gを満たす粒子状吸水剤。【選択図】なし