The present invention provides a polyvinyl alcohol polymer having excellent water solubility, compared to conventional polyvinyl alcohol polymers, and having a high cloud point even when the polyvinyl alcohol polymer is partially saponified. The present invention is a polyvinyl alcohol polymer having, at its end, a group represented by the general formula (I) and/or having, in its main chain, a group represented by the general formula (II). In the formulae, R denotes a hydrogen atom or an OM group, and M denotes a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom, a 1/2 alkaline earth metal atom, or an ammonium group.