user4334: Why does the size of the output of
     bitcoin-clibackupwallet
or, equivalently, wallet.dat
increase over time?

user3697: The current wallet.dat file increases because you add new keys when you refill your keypool (get new addresses) or if you receive or send transactions. Mind that every wallet-relevant transaction is stored (together with some metadata) in your wallet.dat.

4334: <p>Why does the size of the output of</p>

<p>     <code>bitcoin-cli</code><a href="https://bitcoin.org/en/developer-reference#backupwallet" rel="nofollow"><code>backupwallet</code></a></p>

<p>or, equivalently, <code>wallet.dat</code></p>

<p>increase over time?</p>
 3697: <p>The current <code>wallet.dat</code> file increases because you add new keys when you refill your keypool (get new addresses) or if you receive or send transactions. Mind that every wallet-relevant transaction is stored (together with some metadata) in your wallet.dat.</p>
