Multilayer ceramic electronic component

A multilayer ceramic electronic component comprising:

• a ceramic body including a dielectric layer and first and second internal electrodes alternately exposed to first and second outer surfaces with the dielectric layer interposed therebetween;
• and
• first and second external electrodes disposed on the first and second outer surfaces of the ceramic body so as to be connected to the first and second internal electrodes, respectively;
• wherein the ceramic body further includes a protective layer including a plurality of protective layer dummy electrodes disposed on at least one of upper and lower portions of the first and second internal electrodes, and first and second dummy electrodes spaced apart from each other from the first and second external electrodes in a length direction, respectively
• the number of stacked protective layer dummy electrodes per unit length in a thickness direction of the ceramic body is larger than the number of stacked first and second internal electrodes per unit length in the thickness direction, and
• at least portions of the plurality of protective layer dummy electrodes overlap the first and second dummy electrodes when viewed in the thickness direction.