2000 Edition

Background

Hungary was part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed in World War I. It fell under communist rule following World War II. A revolt in 1956 and an announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact was met with massive military intervention by Moscow. In the more open GORBACHEV years, Hungary led the movement to dissolve the Warsaw Pact and steadily shifted toward multiparty democracy and a market-oriented economy. Following the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Hungary developed close political and economic ties to Western Europe. It joined NATO in 1999 and is a frontrunner in a future expansion of the EU.

Area

land

92,340 sq km

total

93,030 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

highest point

Kekes 1,014 m

lowest point

Tisza River 78 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

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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, 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

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

total

2,009 km

Land use

arable land

51%

forests and woodland

19%

other

14% (1999)

permanent crops

3.6%

permanent pastures

12.4%

Location

Central Europe, northwest of Romania

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural resources

bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land

Terrain

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 17% (male 878,661; female 834,607) 15-64 years: 68% (male 3,407,368; female 3,535,818) 65 years and over: 15% (male 548,672; female 933,718) (2000 est.)

Birth rate

9.26 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate

13.34 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Ethnic groups

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

Infant mortality rate

9.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Languages

Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8%

Life expectancy at birth

female

76.05 years (2000 est.)

male

67 years

total population

71.37 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

98% (1980 est.)

male

99%

total population

99%

Nationality

adjective

Hungarian

noun

Hungarian(s)

Net migration rate

0.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population

10,138,844 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.33% (2000 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: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female

total population

0.91 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.25 children born/woman (2000 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*

Capital

Budapest

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Peter F. TUFO

embassy

V. 1054 Szabadsag Ter 12, Budapest

mailing address

pouch: American Embassy Budapest, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270

telephone

(1) 475-4400, 475-4703 (after hours)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Geza JESZENSZKY

telephone

(202) 362-6730

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president

chief of state

President Arpad GONCZ (since 3 August 1990; previously interim president since 2 May 1990)

election results

Arpad GONCZ reelected president; a total of 335 votes were cast by the National Assembly, Arpad GONCZ received 259; Viktor ORBAN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA

elections

president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 19 June 1995 (next to be held before August 2000); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president

head of government

Prime Minister Viktor ORBAN (since 6 July 1998)

FAX

(202) 966-8135

(1) 475-4764

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles and New York

Flag description

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

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

1001 (unification by King Stephen I)

International organization participation

ABEDA, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court, judges are elected by the National Assembly for nine-year terms

Legal system

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)

election results

percent of vote by party (5% or more of the vote required for parliamentary representation in the first round) - MSZP 32.0%, FIDESZ 28.2%, FKGP 13.8%, SZDSZ 7.9%, MIEP 5.5%, MMP 4.1%, MDF 2.8%, KDNP 2.3%, MDNP 1.5%; seats by party - MSZP 134, FIDESZ 148, FKGP 48, SZDSZ 24, MDF 17, MIEP 14, independent 1; note - the MDF won 17 single-member district seats; seating as of 1999 by party - MSZP 135, FIDESZ 146, FKGP 48, SZDSZ 24, MDF 17, MIEP 12, independents 3, and 1 empty seat to be filled in a byelection

elections

last held on 10 and 24 May 1998 (next to be held May/June 2002)

National holiday

Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August (commemorates the coronation of King Stephen I in 1000 AD)

Political parties and leaders

Alliance of Free Democrats or SZDSZ ; Christian Democratic People's Party or KDNP ; Hungarian Civic Party or FIDESZ [Laszlo KOVER, chairman]; Hungarian Democratic Forum or MDF [Ibolya DAVID, chairman]; Hungarian Democratic People's Party or MDNP [Erzsebet PUSZTAI, chairman]; Hungarian Justice and Life Party or MIEP [Istvan CSURKA, chairman]; Hungarian Socialist Party or MSZP [Laszlo KOVACS, chairman]; Hungarian Workers' Party or MMP ; Independent Smallholders or FKGP

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

expenditures

$15.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)

revenues

$13.5 billion

Currency

1 forint (Ft) = 100 filler

Debt - external

$27 billion (1999)

Economic aid - recipient

$122.7 million (1995)

Economy - overview

Hungary continues to demonstrate strong economic growth and to work toward accession to the European Union. Over 85% of the economy has been privatized. Foreign ownership of and investment in Hungarian firms has been widespread with cumulative foreign direct investment $21 billion by 1999. Hungarian sovereign debt is now rated investment grade. GDP growth of 4% in 1999 will likely be matched or even exceeded in 2000. Inflation, while diminished, is still high at 10%. Economic reform measures include regional development, encouragement of small- and medium-size enterprises, and support of housing.

Electricity - consumption

33.317 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports

3.3 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports

3.97 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production

35.104 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

61%

hydro

1%

nuclear

38%

other

0% (1999 est.)

Exchange rates

forints per US$1 - 251.150 (January 2000), 237.146 (1999), 214.402 (1998), 186.789 (1997), 152.647 (1996), 125.681 (1995)

Exports

$22.6 billion (f.o.b., 1999)

Exports - commodities

machinery and equipment 51.9%, other manufactures 32.7%, agriculture and food products 10.5%, raw materials 2.9%, fuels and electricity 1.9% (1998)

Exports - partners

Germany 37%, Austria 11%, Italy 6%, Netherlands 5% (1998)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $79.4 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

5%

industry

30%

services

65% (1999 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $7,800 (1999 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

4% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 24% (1993)

Imports

$25.1 billion (f.o.b., 1999)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment 46.5%, other manufactures 40.2%, fuels and electricity 6.6%, agricultural and food products 3.7%, raw materials 3.0% (1998)

Imports - partners

Germany 28%, Austria 10%, Italy 8%, Russia 7% (1998)

Industrial production growth rate

6% (1999 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

10% (1999 est.)

Labor force

4.2 million (1997)

Labor force - by occupation

services 65%, industry 27%, agriculture 8% (1996)

Population below poverty line

25.3% (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate

10% (1999 est.)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

13 (1999)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 17, FM 57, shortwave 3 (1998)

Radios

7.01 million (1997)

Telephone system

the telephone system has been modernized and is capable of satisfying all requests for telecommunication service

domestic

the system is digitalized and highly automated; trunk services are carried by fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay; a program for fiber-optic subscriber connections was initiated in 1996; heavy use is made of mobile cellular telephones

international

Hungary has fiber-optic cable connections with all neighboring countries; the international switch is in Budapest; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Inmarsat, 1 very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system of ground terminals

Telephones - main lines in use

1.893 million (1995)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.269 million (1995)

Television broadcast stations

39 (plus several low-power stations) (1997)

Televisions

4.42 million (1997)

Airports

43 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

16 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

27 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 7 (1999 est.)

Heliports

5 (1999 est.)

Highways

paved

81,680 km (including 438 km of expressways)

total

188,203 km

unpaved

106,523 km (1998 est.)

Merchant marine

ships by type

cargo 2 (1999 est.)

total

2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 12,949 GRT/14,550 DWT

Pipelines

crude oil 1,204 km; natural gas 4,387 km (1991)

Ports and harbors

Budapest, Dunaujvaros

Railways

broad gauge

36 km 1.524-m gauge

narrow gauge

176 km 0.760-m gauge (1998)

note

Hungary and Austria jointly manage the cross-border standard-gauge railway between Gyor, Sopron, Ebenfurt (Gysev railroad) a distance of about 101 km in Hungary and 65 km in Austria

standard gauge

7,394 km 1.435-m gauge (2,270 km electrified; 1,236 km double track)

total

7,606 km

Waterways

1,373 km permanently navigable (1997)

Military branches

Ground Forces, Air Force, Border Guard

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$732.2 million (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.4% (FY99)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 2,588,365 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 2,062,565 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

67,160 (2000 est.)

Disputes - international

ongoing Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Slovakia

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

ICELAND