Multilayer ceramic capacitor including step layers with different thicknesses

A multilayer ceramic electronic component comprising:

• a multilayer body including a plurality of laminated ceramic layers, a first main surface and a second main surface opposed to each other in a height direction, a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface opposed to each other in a width direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the height direction, a first end surface and a second end surface opposed to each other in a length direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the height direction and the width direction, a plurality of end surface-exposed electrode layers that are each alternately laminated with a respective one of the plurality of ceramic layers, each exposed at the first end surface and the second end surface, and each function as an internal electrode layer, a plurality of lateral surface-exposed electrode layers that are each alternately laminated with a respective one of the plurality of ceramic layers, each exposed at the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface, and each function as an internal electrode layer, a plurality of lateral surface step layers that are each provided on a same plane as a respective one of the plurality of end surface-exposed electrode layers and each exposed at the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface, and a plurality of end surface step layers that are each provided on a same plane as a respective one of the plurality of lateral surface-exposed electrode layers and each exposed at the first end surface and the second end surface;
• first external electrodes respectively on the first end surface and the second end surface;
• and
• second external electrodes respectively on the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface;
• wherein
• the plurality of lateral surface step layers each have a thickness in the height direction of the multilayer body that is greater at a location closer to the first main surface than the second main surface;
• and
• the plurality of end surface step layers each have a thickness in the height direction of the multilayer body that is greater at a location closer to the first main surface than the second main surface.