Abstract: A positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery includes a core including a lithium composite metal oxide selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, Chemical Formula 2, and combinations thereof; and a shell on the core, the shell including lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), and the lithium iron phosphate being present in an amount in a range of about 5 to about 15 wt % based on the total weight of the positive active material. LixMO2 ??[Chemical Formula 1] (wherein, in the above Chemical Formula 1, M is one or more transition elements, and 1?x?1.1) yLi2MnO3·(1?y)LiM?O2 ??[Chemical Formula 2] (wherein, in the above Chemical Formula 2, M? is one or more transition elements, and 0?x?1).