The invention provides a water-based ink composition for inkjet recording which contains vinyl polymer particles containing a styrene-acrylic acid copolymer in which the total content of the constitutional units derived from styrene monomer, acrylic acid, and methacrylic acid is 45% by mass or more; and at least one of an azo pigment represented by Formula (1), a tautomer thereof, a salt or hydrate thereof; and a water-based liquid medium, and which is excellent in discharge stability after a long-term storage or after aging at high temperatures: wherein, Q represents a heterocyclic group; W represents an alkoxy group, an amino group etc.; X1 and X2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group etc.; R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; R2 represents a heterocyclic group; and n represents an integer of 1 to 4.