Recording medium

A recording medium includes a magnetic recording layer formed on a substrate; a protective layer formed on the magnetic recording layer and having a total thickness that is equal to or greater than 1 nm but equal to or less than 2 nm. The protective layer is composed of a silicon oxide layer formed on the magnetic recording layer and having a thickness of 0.3 nm or more; a silicon layer formed on the silicon oxide layer and having a thickness of 0.2 nm or more; and an amorphous carbon layer formed on the silicon layer and having a thickness of 0.2 nm or more, and having a hydrogen content equal to or greater than 25.6 at % but equal to or less than 43.3 at %. Thus, magnetic spacing between the magnetic recording layer and a magnetic head advantageously may be reduced while maintaining the thermal insulation characteristics.