A variable displacement lubricant pump includes a housing, a control ring arranged in the housing, an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, and a lateral slide bearing. The control ring is shiftable, radially confines a pumping chamber, and comprises a drainage channel. The outlet chamber and the inlet chamber are arranged at opposite lateral sides of the control ring. The lateral slide bearing is arranged at the lateral side of the control ring where the outlet chamber is arranged and comprises a first lateral slide bearing surface defined by the static housing, a second lateral slide bearing surface arranged opposite to the first lateral slide bearing surface which is defined by the control ring, and a lateral slide bearing gap defined between the first and second lateral slide bearing surfaces. The drainage channel of the control ring fluidically connects the lateral slide bearing gap with the inlet chamber.