PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a catalyst for carbonylation of alcohols which is hardly susceptible to the effect of moisture or a carbon dioxide gas and is highly reactive by adding group 7 metal of the periodic table or a metal compound thereof as an effective component. SOLUTION: This catalyst for carbonylation reaction of alcohols contains group 7 metal elements of the periodic table as effective component. As group 7 metal elements of the periodic table, manganese, technetium and rhenium, are cited. Among them manganese is especially an effective catalyst. These elements can be used in the form of metal, and also in the form of a compound, e.g. an oxide, a chloride or a nitrate. Among them the form of an oxide can be used as a best-suited catalyst. Further, a catalyst composed of at least two kinds of the above metal element may be used. In addition, a catalyst may be formed by synthesis of alumna, silica, titania, zeolite or the like, or bearing the above metal elements (catalytic components) on a natural porous refractory material.