2005 Edition

Administrative divisions

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 15.8% (male 813,203/female 769,687) 15-64 years: 69.1% (male 3,405,559/female 3,511,141) 65 years and over: 15.1% (male 547,323/female 959,922) (2005 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

44 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

18 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

26 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 9 (2004 est.)

Area

land

92,340 sq km

total

93,030 sq km

water

690 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Indiana

Background

Hungary was part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed during World War I. The country fell under Communist rule following World War II. In 1956, a revolt and announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military intervention by Moscow. 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 in 2004. Geography Hungary

Birth rate

9.76 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$51.36 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)

revenues

$46.07 billion

Capital

Budapest

Climate

temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

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

Currency (code)

forint (HUF)

Currency code

HUF

Current account balance

$-7.941 billion (2004 est.)

Death rate

13.19 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Debt - external

$57 billion (2004 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador George Herbert WALKER

embassy

Szabadsag ter 12, H-1054 Budapest

FAX

[36] (1) 475-4764

mailing address

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

telephone

[36] (1) 475-4400

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Andras SIMONYI

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles and New York

FAX

[1] (202) 966-8135

telephone

[1] (202) 362-6730

Disputes - international

in 2004, Hungary amended the status law extending special social and cultural benefits and voted down a referendum to extend dual citizenship to ethnic Hungarians living in neighboring states, which have objected to such measures; consultations continue between Slovakia and Hungary over Hungary's completion of its portion the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam project along the Danube; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Hungary must implement the strict Schengen border rules

Distribution of family income - Gini index

24.4 (1998)

Economic aid - recipient

$4.2 billion in available EU structural adjustment and cohesion funds (2004-06)

Economy - overview

Hungary has made the transition from a centrally planned to a market economy, with a per capita income one-half that of the Big Four European nations. Hungary continues to demonstrate strong economic growth and acceded to the European Union in May 2004. The private sector accounts for over 80% of GDP. Foreign ownership of and investment in Hungarian firms are widespread, with cumulative foreign direct investment totaling more than $23 billion since 1989. Hungarian sovereign debt was upgraded in 2000 and together with the Czech Republic holds the highest rating among the Central European transition economies; however, ratings agencies have expressed concerns over Hungary's unsustainable budget and current account deficits. Inflation has declined from 14% in 1998 to 7% in 2004. Unemployment has persisted around the 6% level, but Hungary's labor force participation rate of 57% is one of the lowest in the OECD. Germany is by far Hungary's largest economic partner. Policy challenges include cutting the public sector deficit to 3% of GDP by 2008, from about 5% in 2004, and orchestrating an orderly interest rate reduction without sparking capital outflows.

Electricity - consumption

35.99 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports

8.3 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports

12.6 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production

34.07 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

60.1%

hydro

0.5%

nuclear

39%

other

0.3% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Kekes 1,014 m

lowest point

Tisza River 78 m

Environment - current issues

the upgrading of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution to meet EU requirements will require large investments

Environment - international agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulfur 94

Ethnic groups

Hungarian 92.3%, Roma 1.9%, other or unknown 5.8% (2001 census)

Exchange rates

forints per US dollar - 202.75 (2004), 224.31 (2003), 257.89 (2002), 286.49 (2001), 282.18 (2000)

Executive branch

cabinet

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

chief of state

Laszlo SOLYOM (since 5 August 2005)

election results

Laszlo SOLYOM elected president by a simple majority in the third round of voting, 185 to 182; Ferenc GYURCSANY elected prime minister; result of legislative vote - 197 to 12 note: to be elected, the president must win two-thirds of legislative vote in the first two rounds or a simple majority in the third round

elections

president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 6-7 June 2005 (next to be held by June 2010); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president; election last held 29 September 2004

head of government

Prime Minister Ferenc GYURCSANY (since 29 September 2004)

Exports

$54.62 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

machinery and equipment 61.1%, other manufactures 28.7%, food products 6.5%, raw materials 2%, fuels and electricity 1.6% (2003)

Exports - partners

Germany 31.4%, Austria 6.8%, France 5.7%, Italy 5.6%, UK 5.1% (2004)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Hungary

Flag description

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

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

3.3%

industry

31.4%

services

65.3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $14,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3.9% (2004 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$149.3 billion (2004 est.)

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; the north-south flowing Duna (Danube) and Tisza Rivers divide the country into three large regions People Hungary

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Heliports

5 (2004 est.) Military Hungary

Highways

paved

70,050 km (including 533 km of expressways)

total

159,568 km

unpaved

89,518 km (2002)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

2,800 (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 20.5% (1998)

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and methamphetamine; improving, but remains vulnerable to money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005 ======================================================================

Imports

$58.68 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment 51.6%, other manufactures 35.7%, fuels and electricity 7.7%, food products 3.1%, raw materials 2.0% (2003)

Imports - partners

Germany 29.2%, Austria 8.3%, Russia 5.7%, Italy 5.5%, Netherlands 4.9%, China 4.8%, France 4.7% (2004)

Independence

1001 (unification by King Stephen I)

Industrial production growth rate

9.6% (2004 est.)

Industries

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

Infant mortality rate

female

7.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

male

9.27 deaths/1,000 live births

total

8.57 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7% (2004 est.)

International organization participation

Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU (new member), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Internet country code

.hu

Internet hosts

383,071 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

16 (2000)

Internet users

1.6 million (2002) Transportation Hungary

Investment (gross fixed)

22.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Irrigated land

2,100 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

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

Labor force

4.17 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 6.2%, industry 27.1%, services 66.7% (2002)

Land boundaries

border countries

Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Serbia and Montenegro 151 km, Slovakia 677 km, Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km

total

2,171 km

Land use

arable land

50.09%

other

47.85% (2001)

permanent crops

2.06%

Languages

Hungarian 93.6%, other or unspecified 6.4% (2001 census)

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) - Fidesz/MDF 48.70%, MSzP 46.11%, SzDSz 4.92%, other 0.27%; seats by party - Fidesz 164, MSzP 178, MDF 24, SzDSz 20

elections

last held 7 and 21 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2006)

Life expectancy at birth

female

76.89 years (2005 est.)

male

68.18 years

total population

72.4 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.3% (2003 est.) Government Hungary

male

99.5%

total population

99.4%

Location

Central Europe, northwest of Romania

Manpower available for military service

males age 18-49: 2,303,116 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 18-49: 1,780,513 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually

males

63,847 (2005 est.)

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Median age

female

41.24 years (2005 est.)

male

36.1 years

total

38.57 years

Military branches

Ground Forces, Air Forces

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$1.08 billion (2002 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.75% (2002 est.) Transnational Issues Hungary

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in June 2004 (June 2004)

National holiday

Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August

Nationality

adjective

Hungarian

noun

Hungarian(s)

Natural gas - consumption

13.37 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

4 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

9.587 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

3.231 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

50.45 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Natural resources

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

Net migration rate

0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption

140,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

47,180 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

136,600 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production

41,190 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

110.7 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Pipelines

gas 4,397 km; oil 990 km; refined products 335 km (2004)

Political parties and leaders

Alliance of Free Democrats or SzDSz [Gabor KUNCZE]; Hungarian Civic Alliance or Fidesz [Viktor ORBAN, chairman]; Hungarian Democratic Forum or MDF [Ibolya DAVID]; Hungarian Democratic People's Party or MDNP [Erzsebet PUSZTAI, chairman]; Hungarian Socialist Party or MSzP [Istvan HILLER, chairman]; Hungarian Workers' Party or MMP [Gyula THURMER, chairman]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

10,006,835 (July 2005 est.)

Population below poverty line

8.6% (1993 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.26% (2005 est.)

Ports and harbors

Budapest, Dunaujvaros, Gyor-Gonyu, Csepel, Baja, Mohacs (2003)

Public debt

58.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 17, FM 57, shortwave 3 (1998)

Radios

7.01 million (1997)

Railways

broad gauge

36 km 1.524-m gauge

narrow gauge

219 km 0.760-m gauge (2004)

standard gauge

7,682 km 1.435-m gauge (2,628 km electrified)

total

7,937 km

Religions

Roman Catholic 51.9%, Calvinist 15.9%, Lutheran 3%, Greek Catholic 2.6%, other Christian 1%, other or unspecified 11.1%, unaffiliated 14.5% (2001 census)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$14.8 billion (2004 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female

total population

0.91 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

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

general assessment

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

international

country code - 36; 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

3,666,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular

6,862,800 (2002)

Television broadcast stations

35 (plus 161 low-power repeaters) (1995)

Televisions

4.42 million (1997)

Terrain

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

Total fertility rate

1.32 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

5.9% (2004 est.)

Waterways

1,622 km (most on Danube River) (2004)