The present invention provides a particulate water-absorbing agent which has an excellent fluid retention capacity under pressure and an excellent liquid permeability. Each of the following values of the particulate water-absorbing agent of the present invention falls within a certain range: a ratio represented by "centrifuge retention capacity / Ln (water-soluble component amount)"； a molecular weight distribution of the water-soluble component； a weight average molecular weight after a hydrolysis treatment； and a branching density after the hydrolysis treatment.
