Provided is a hydrophilic copolymer containing a structural unit (a) represented by formula (1) and a structural unit (b) represented by formula (2), whereby a coating film having excellent hydrophilicity and antifogging properties can be obtained.

##STR00001##

(In formula (1), R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R.sup.2 represents (C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.mR.sup.6 or (C.sub.3H.sub.6O).sub.mR.sup.6, m represents an integer of 1-50, R.sup.6 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group, and X.sup.1 represents a divalent linking group, and in formula (2), R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 each independently represent a C1-10 alkyl group or a C6-10 aryl group, X.sup.2 represents a divalent linking group, n represents an integer of 1-3, and an asterisk * represents a bond to an adjacent structural unit.)

Provided is a hydrophilic copolymer containing a structural unit (a) represented by formula (1) and a structural unit (b) represented by formula (2), whereby a coating film having excellent hydrophilicity and antifogging properties can be obtained.

##STR00001##

(In formula (1), R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R.sup.2 represents (C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.mR.sup.6 or (C.sub.3H.sub.6O).sub.mR.sup.6, m represents an integer of 1-50, R.sup.6 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group, and X.sup.1 represents a divalent linking group, and in formula (2), R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 each independently represent a C1-10 alkyl group or a C6-10 aryl group, X.sup.2 represents a divalent linking group, n represents an integer of 1-3, and an asterisk * represents a bond to an adjacent structural unit.)