In the hydrous material of the water-absorbent resin, the water content of the higher-water-content portion can be set in the range of 50 to 99 weight %, favorably 60 to 99 weight %, and the water content of the lower-water-content portion can be set in the range of 1 to 50 weight % (but not including 50 weight %), favorably 1 to 40 weight %.