A particulate water absorbing agent which is mainly used as an absorbent article having a polyacrylic acid (salt) type water absorbent resin as a main component, which is surface crosslinked and satisfies the following physical properties (1) to (3): (1) the proportion of particles having a particle size of 150 m or more and less than 850 m is 90% by weight or more, (2) the elasticity index (EMI) of particles having a particle diameter of 500 m or more and less than 600 m is 5,500 or more, (3) Rec. Recovery rate defined by CRC / CRC is 1.05 to 1.20.ポリアクリル酸(塩)系吸水性樹脂を主成分とし、表面架橋されていると共に、下記(1)~(3)の物性を満たす、吸収性物品に非常に有用である、粒子状吸水剤;(1)粒子径が150μm以上850μm未満である粒子の割合が90重量%以上、(2)粒子径が500μm以上600μm未満である粒子の弾性率指数(EMI)が5500以上、(3)Rec.CRC/CRCで規定されるリカバリー率が1.05~1.20。
