Disclosed is a non-woven fabric (10) which comprises: core-sheath-type composite fibers each composed of a sheath part comprising a polyethylene resin and a core part comprising a resin component having a higher melting point than that of the polyethylene resin and a hydrophilizing agent adhered on the surfaces of the core-sheath-type composite fibers. The non-woven fabric has thermally fused parts which are formed by thermally fusing the intersection points of the constituent fibers. The core-sheath-type composite fibers contain thermally extendable fibers which can extend in the length direction upon heating. In each of the thermally extendable fibers, a hydrophilicity gradient is formed in the thickness direction and/or the planar direction of the non-woven fabric (10). The non-woven fabric (10) can be used suitably as a surface sheet for an absorbent article and the like.本發明之不織布(10)包括:具有包含聚乙烯樹脂之鞘部及包含熔點高於該聚乙烯樹脂之樹脂成分之芯部的芯鞘型複合纖維、以及附著於該芯鞘型複合纖維表面之親水化劑,且包括構成纖維之交點熱熔著而成之熱熔著部。上述芯鞘型複合纖維包含其長度藉由加熱而伸長之熱伸長性纖維,且上述熱伸長性纖維於不織布(10)之厚度方向及/或平面方向上具有親水度梯度。本發明之不織布(10)例如可較好地用作吸收性物品之表面片材。10、10...不織布10a...平坦面(背面)10b...凹凸面18...厚度較薄之部分(壓紋部)19...厚度較厚之部分118...凹部118a...第1線狀凹部118b...第2線狀凹部119...凸部P1...頂部P2...中腹部P3...凹部近旁部Q...平坦面(背面)10a之凸部對應部位
