The photoluminescence of Mg-doped BaTiO3:Pr3+ (Pr3+: 0.1 mol%) ceramics was investigated by changing the doping concentration of Mg and the sintering temperature. The results indicated that the intensity of red emission due to the D-1(2)-> H-3(4) transition of Pr3+ exhibited significant dependence on both the Mg doping content and the sintering temperature; the strongest red emission intensity was observed for 2.0 mol% Mg-doped ceramics sintered at 1050 degrees C. An interpretation of the results obtained was made in terms of the changes in the crystal structure and microstructure of the ceramics.