What are described are polyvinyl ester dispersions which are prepared in a multistage process and have a low content of polymerized acids or acid anhydrides. They can be obtained by a multistage process in which a polyvinyl ester dispersion is obtained in a first stage, monomers in dissolved or pure form are added to the reaction mixture in a second stage and then the polymerization is started again. The polymer dispersions obtained in this way are notable for a low coagulum content and for increased tensile strengths of the films formed therefrom.