Aqueous pigment formulations comprise (A) at least one organic and/or inorganic pigment, (B) at least one polymeric dispersant of the formula I, where R1 is aliphatic, linear or branched hydrocarbyl having 8 to 30 carbon atoms or a hydrogen atom, R2 is aliphatic, linear or branched hydrocarbyl having 8 to 30 carbon atoms or a hydrogen atom, R3 is hydrocarbyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, n is an integer of not less than 3, x is an integer from 1 to 150, and M is a cation, with the proviso that one of R1 and R2 is hydrogen.