To provide an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin or disposable diaper which has improved permeability for excreted fluid in the region of the top sheet in contact with the site of discharge, as well as a reduced feeling of dampness in regions not in contact with the site of discharge, the absorbent article comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorber sandwiched between the top sheet and back sheet, wherein the top sheet is composed of a nonwoven fabric, and the region of the top sheet that contacts the site of discharge is the low density section of the nonwoven fabric with a lower apparent density than the other regions of the top sheet. The thickness of the low density section of the top sheet is larger than the thickness of the sections other than the low density section of the top sheet, and the basis weight of the low density section of the top sheet is equal to the basis weight of the sections other than the low density section of the top sheet.
