There is provided a vinylpyrrolidone-based copolymer having as essential components N-vinylpyrrolidone and hydroxyl group-containing (meth)acrylate, which gives a favorable crosslinked coating film, and a method for production by which the copolymer is easily obtained. A vinylpyrrolidone-based copolymer of the present invention contains a constitutional unit derived from N-vinylpyrrolidone and a constitutional unit derived from hydroxyl group-containing (meth)acrylate at a specific ratio, in which a K value according to Fikentscher is 12 or more, water insoluble matter is 0.5% by mass (on the basis of solid content) or less, and each content of iron, nickel, chromium, sodium and calcium is 500 ppb (on the basis of mass: the same hereinafter) or less, or electrical conductivity of a 10% by mass-aqueous solution of the vinylpyrrolidone-based copolymer is 35 .mu.S/cm or less.