1998 Edition

Area

total: 93,030 sq km land: 92,340 sq km water: 690 sq km

Area-comparative

slightly smaller than Indiana

Climate

temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Tisza River 78 m highest point: Kekes 1,014 m

Environment-current issues

the approximation of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution with environmental requirements for EU accession will require large investments, estimated by the Government of Hungary at $4 billion over six years; the 1997 budget allocated $9.7 million for this purpose; the 1998 budget allocated $11.3 million; the Central Environmental Fund, which collects monies from product charges, environmental fines, and mining taxes, provided approximately $76.2 million in 1997 and is expected to provide $109.5 million in 1998

Environment-international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea

Geographic coordinates

47 00 N, 20 00 E

Geography-note

landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin

Irrigated land

2,060 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries

total: 2,009 km border countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Serbia and Montenegro 151 km (all with Serbia), Slovakia 515 km, Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km

Land use

arable land: 51% permanent crops: 2% permanent pastures: 13% forests and woodland: 19% other: 15% (1993 est.)

Location

Central Europe, northwest of Romania

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural resources

bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils

Terrain

mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the Slovakian border

Age structure

0-14 years: 18% (male 915,412; female 872,706) 15-64 years: 68% (male 3,413,170; female 3,533,085) 65 years and over: 14% (male 550,974; female 922,780) (July 1998 est.)

Birth rate

10.69 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate

13.46 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Ethnic groups

Hungarian 89.9%, Gypsy 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%, Slovak 0.8%, Romanian 0.7%

Infant mortality rate

9.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Languages

Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8%

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 70.83 years male: 66.46 years female: 75.44 years (1998 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 98% (1980 est.)

Nationality

noun: Hungarian(s) adjective: Hungarian

Net migration rate

0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Population

10,208,127 (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.23% (1998 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist and other 7.5%

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.45 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Administrative divisions

19 counties (megyek, singular-megye), 20 urban counties* (singular - megyei varos), and 1 capital city** (fovaros); Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Bekescsaba*, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Budapest**, Csongrad, Debrecen*, Dunaujvaros*, Eger*, Fejer, Gyor*, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Hodmezovasarhely*, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Kaposvar*, Kecskemet*, Komarom-Esztergom, Miskolc*, Nagykanizsa*, Nograd, Nyiregyhaza*, Pecs*, Pest, Somogy, Sopron*, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Szeged*, Szekesfehervar*, Szolnok*, Szombathely*, Tatabanya*, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Veszprem*, Zala, Zalaegerszeg*

Constitution

18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997 amendment streamlined the judicial system

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Hungary conventional short form: Hungary local long form: Magyar Koztarsasag local short form: Magyarorszag

Data code

HU

Executive branch

chief of state: President Arpad GONCZ (since 3 August 1990; previously interim president since 2 May 1990) head of government: Prime Minister Gyula HORN (since 15 July 1994) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a four-year term; election last held 19 June 1995 (next to be held NA 1999); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president election results: Arpad GONCZ elected president; a total of 335 votes were cast by the National Assembly, Arpad GONCZ received 259; Gyula HORN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote NA

FAX

[1] (202) 966-8135 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter F. TUFO embassy: V. Szabadsag Ter 12, 1054 Budapest mailing address: Pouch: American Embassy Budapest, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270 telephone: [36] (1) 267-4400, 269-9331 (after hours), 269-9339 (after hours)

[36] (1) 269-9326

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green

Government type

republic

Independence

1001 (unification by King Stephen I)

International organization participation

Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUA, MTCR, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gyorgy BANLAKI chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court, judges are elected by the National Assembly for a nine-year term Political parties and leaders: Hungarian Democratic Forum or MDF [Sandor LEZSAK, chairman]; Independent Smallholders or FKgP [Jozsef TORGYAN, president]; Hungarian Socialist Party or MSzP [Gyula HORN, president]; Christian Democratic People's Party or KDNP [Gyorgy GICZY, president]; Hungarian Civic Party or FiDeSz [Viktor ORBAN, chairman]; Alliance of Free Democrats or SzDSz [Ivan PETO, chairman]; Hungarian Democratic People's Party or MDNP [Ivan SZABO, chairman]; Hungarian Justice and Life Party or MIEP [Istvan CSURKA, chairman]; Hungarian Workers' Party or MMP [Gyula THURMER, chairman] note: the Hungarian Socialist (Communist) Workers' Party or MSzMP renounced Communism and became the Hungarian Socialist Party or MSzP in October 1989; the MDNP was formed in March 1996 by breakaway members of the Hungarian Democratic Forum; the KDNP lost its parliamentary faction status in July 1997 after a party split reduced its representation below the minimum 15 required

Legal system

in process of revision, moving toward rule of law based on Western model

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional and direct representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 8 and 29 May 1994 (next to be held 10 and 24 May 1998) election results: percent of vote by party (5% or more of the vote required for parliamentary representation in the first round)-MSzP 33.0%, SzDSz 19.8%, MDF 11.7%, FKgP 8.9%, KDNP 7.1%, FiDeSz 7.0%, MMP 3.2%, MIEP 1.6%, other 7.7%; seats by party - MSzP 209, SzDSz 70, MDF 37, FKgP 26, KDNP 22, FiDeSz 20, other 2

National capital

Budapest

National holiday

St. Stephen's Day (National Day), 20 August (commemorates the coronation of King Stephen in 1000 AD)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture-products

wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle, poultry, dairy products

Budget

revenues: $12.1 billion expenditures: $13.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)

Currency

1 forint (Ft) = 100 filler

Debt-external

$27.6 billion (1996 est.)

Economic aid

$NA

Economy-overview

Hungary has consolidated its March 1995 stabilization program and undergone enough restructuring to become an established market economy. The country appears to have entered a period of sustainable growth, gradually falling inflation, and stable external balances. The government's main economic priorities are to complete structural reforms, particularly the implementation of the 1997 pension reform act (the first in the region), taxation reform, and planning for comprehensive health care, local government finance reform, and the reform of education at all levels. Foreign investment has totaled more than $17 billion through 1997. In recognition of Hungary's improved macro-economic situation, all major credit-rating agencies listed the country's foreign currency debt issuances as investment grade in 1996. The current IMF stand-by arrangement expired in February 1998, and Budapest and the IMF agree that there is no need to renew it. The OECD welcomed Hungary as a member in May 1996, and in December 1997 the EU invited Hungary to begin the accession process. Forecasters expect 4%-5% growth in 1998.

Electricity-capacity

6.979 million kW (1995)

Electricity-consumption per capita

3,423 kWh (1995)

Electricity-production

32.92 billion kWh (1995)

Exchange rates

forints per US$1-206.260 (January 1998), 186.789 (1997), 152.647 (1996), 125.681 (1995),105.160 (1994), 91.933 (1993)

Exports

total value: $16 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: machinery and equipment 36.6%, other manufactures 40.6%, agriculture and food products 15.1%, raw materials 4.4%, fuels and electricity 3.3% (1996) partners: EU 62.8% (Germany 29%, Austria 10.6%, Italy 8.0%), FSU 8.6% (1996)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications

GDP

purchasing power parity-$73.2 billion (1997 est.)

GDP-composition by sector

agriculture: 7.2% industry: 31.8% services: 61% (1995)

GDP-per capita

purchasing power parity-$7,400 (1997 est.)

GDP-real growth rate

4.4% (1997 est.)

Imports

total value: $18.6 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: machinery and equipment 36.5%, other manufactures 43.7%, fuels and electricity 11.8%, agricultural and food products 4.4%, raw materials 3.6% (1996) partners: EU 59.8% (Germany 23.6%, Austria 9.5%, Italy 8.1%), FSU 14.9% (1996)

Industrial production growth rate

7% (1997 est.)

Industries

mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles

Inflation rate-consumer price index

18% (1997 est.)

Labor force

total: 4.5 million (1996) by occupation: services 65.0%, industry 26.7%, agriculture 8.3 (1996)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 32, FM 15, shortwave 0

Radios

6 million (1993 est.)

Telephone system

14,213 telex lines; automatic telephone network based on microwave radio relay system; the average waiting time for telephones is expected to drop to one year by the end of 1997 (down from over 10 years in the early 1990's); note-the former state-owned telecommunications firm MATAV-now privatized and managed by a US/German consortium-has ambitious plans to upgrade the inadequate system, including a contract with the German firm Siemens and the Swedish firm Ericsson to provide 600,000 new phone lines during 1996-98 domestic: microwave radio relay international: satellite earth stations-1 Intelsat and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)

Telephones

2.16 million (1 January 1996)-there are 21.1 per 100 inhabitants, 54.1 per 100 households; mobile telephone services are used by 267,000 subscribers

Television broadcast stations

41 (Russian repeaters 8)

Televisions

4.38 million (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate

9% (1997 est.)

Airports

25 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1997 est.)

Highways

total: 158,633 km paved: 68,370 km (including 420 km of expressways) unpaved: 90,263 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 8 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 35,522 GRT/47,792 DWT (1997 est.)

Pipelines

crude oil 1,204 km; natural gas 4,387 km (1991) Ports and harbors: Budapest, Dunaujvaros

Railways

total: 7,606 km broad gauge: 36 km 1.524-m gauge standard gauge: 7,394 km 1.435-m gauge (2,207 km electrified; 1,236 km double track) narrow gauge: 176 km 0.760-m gauge (1996) note: Hungary and Austria jointly manage the cross-border standard-gauge railway between Gyor, Sopron, Ebenfurt (Gyor-Sopron-Ebenfurti Vasut Rt) a distance of about 101 km in Hungary and 65 km in Austria

Waterways

1,622 km (1988)

Military branches

Ground Forces, Air Force, Border Guard

Military expenditures-dollar figure

$550 million (1996)

Military expenditures-percent of GDP

1.5% (1996)

Military manpower-availability

males age 15-49: 2,618,416 (1998 est.) Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 2,087,877 (1998 est.)

Military manpower-military age

18 years of age

Military manpower-reaching military age annually

males: 74,254 (1998 est.)

Disputes-international

Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Slovakia (to be resolved March 1998)

Illicit drugs

major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and transit point for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamines and methamphetamines