The invention relates to an aqueous vinyl acetate-ethylene-copolymer dispersion for carpet coating compositions, which is obtained by means of radical-initiated emulsion polymerization, in an aqueous medium, of vinyl acetate and ethylene and optionally additional ethylenically unsaturated comonomers, characterized in that, for stabilization of the dispersion, 5 to 10 wt %, based on the total weight of the comonomers, of one or a plurality of partially saponified and low-molecular polyvinyl alcohols having a hydrolysis degree of 80 to 95 mol % and a Höppler viscosity, in 4% aqueous solution, of 1 to 5 mPas (method according to Höppler at 20°C, DIN 53015) are contained.