| variable | 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-2007 | 2008-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| real gdp growth | 1.15 | 0.42 | 3.4 | -2.8 | 2.35 | -0.8 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 2.0 |
| CPI % | 10.93 | 20.26 | 5.95 | 4.55 | 2.33 | 17.1 | 3.7 | 4.4 | 3.8 | 3.5 |
| Unemployment rate | 0.43 | 8.91 | 6.47 | 10.25 | 6.54 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.0 |
| Debt/GDP % | - | 65.6 | 60.93 | 79.2 | 74.74 | 73.2 | 73.5 | 75.2 | 77.9 | 80.3 |
| Current account balance/GDP % | -2.17 | -6.43 | -7.28 | -0.8 | 1.23 | -0.1 | 1.5 | 1.3 | -0.4 | 0.4 |
Data derived from World Economic Outlook Database. To see main macroeconomic indicator in graphs click here
Hungary became a Christian kingdom in A.D. 1000 and for many centuries served as a bulwark against Ottoman Turkish expansion in Europe. The kingdom eventually became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed during World War I. The country fell under communist rule after World War II. In 1956, Moscow responded to a Hungarian revolt and announcement of its withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact with a massive military intervention. Under the leadership of Janos KADAR in 1968, Hungary began liberalizing its economy, introducing so-called "Goulash Communism." Hungary held its first multiparty elections in 1990 and initiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and the EU five years later.
Area: 93,028 sq km km2
Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers
Natural resources: bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land
Groups: Hungarian 84.3%, Romani 2.1%, German 1%, other 1.2%, unspecified 13.7% (2022 est.)
Languages: Hungarian (official) 98.8%, English 25.3%, German 12.6%, Russian 2.1%, French 1.5%, Romanian 1.4%, other 5.1% (2022 est.)
Religions: Catholic 30.1% (Roman Catholic 27.5%, Greek Catholic 1.7%, other Catholic 0.9%), Calvinist 9.8%, Lutheran 1.8%, other Christian (includes Orthodox) 1.6%, other 0.4%, none 16.1%, no answer 40.1% (2022 est.)
Capital: Budapest
Government type: parliamentary republic
Chief of state: President Tamas SULYOK (since 5 March 2024)
Head of government: Prime Minister Viktor ORBAN (since 29 May 2010)
Description: National Assembly (Országgyülés) - unicameral
high-income EU and OECD economy; modest recovery from 2024 recession driven by private consumption and moderated inflation; challenges include high fiscal deficits, frozen access to EU funds, and risks from export reliance; implementing tax exemptions, price controls, and mortgage interest caps ahead of 2026 elections
mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles
GDP by sector: Agriculture: 2.4% (2024 est.), Industry: 23.9% (2024 est.), Services: 59.7% (2024 est.)
Export partners: Germany 25%, Italy 6%, Romania 6%, USA 5%, Slovakia 4% (2023)
Export commodities: cars, vehicle parts/accessories, electric batteries, packaged medicine, computers (2023)
Import partners: Germany 23%, China 7%, Austria 6%, Poland 6%, S. Korea 6% (2023)
Import commodities: vehicle parts/accessories, natural gas, integrated circuits, broadcasting equipment, industrial acids/oils/alcohols (2023)
Central Europe, northwest of Romania
Military expenditure: 2025: 2.1% of GDP (2025 est.)
Information derived from worldfactbook.io (Lupon Media), open successor to the CIA World Factbook. Data sourced from World Bank, IMF, UN and other international organizations.