2016 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2016 Archive (HTML)
Introduction
Background
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 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 an 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 five years later.
Geography
Area
- 93,028 sq km 89,608 sq km 3,420 sq km
- land
- 89,608 sq km
- total
- 93,028 sq km
- water
- 3,420 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Virginia; about the same size as Indiana
Climate
temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation
- 143 m lowest point: Tisza River 78 m highest point: Kekes 1,014 m
- elevation extremes
- lowest point: Tisza River 78 m
- highest point
- Kekes 1,014 m
- mean elevation
- 143 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
- Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, 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, Whaling none of the selected agreements
- party to
- Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, 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, Whaling
- signed, but not ratified
- none of the selected agreements
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
Irrigated land
1,721 sq km (2012)
Land boundaries
- 2,106 km Austria 321 km, Croatia 348 km, Romania 424 km, Serbia 164 km, Slovakia 627 km, Slovenia 94 km, Ukraine 128 km
- border countries (7)
- Austria 321 km, Croatia 348 km, Romania 424 km, Serbia 164 km, Slovakia 627 km, Slovenia 94 km, Ukraine 128 km
- total
- 2,106 km
Land use
- 58.9% arable land 48.5%; permanent crops 2%; permanent pasture 8.4% 22.5% 18.6% (2011 est.)
- agricultural land
- 58.9%
- forest
- 22.5%
- other
- 18.6% (2011 est.)
Location
Central Europe, northwest of Romania
Map references
Europe
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Natural resources
bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land
Population - distribution
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
Terrain
mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the Slovakian border
People and Society
Age structure
- 14.76% (male 750,516/female 706,780) 11.19% (male 570,097/female 534,856) 41.74% (male 2,071,865/female 2,049,939) 13.66% (male 620,362/female 728,387) 18.65% (male 693,609/female 1,148,373) (2016 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 14.76% (male 750,516/female 706,780)
- 15-24 years
- 11.19% (male 570,097/female 534,856)
- 25-54 years
- 41.74% (male 2,071,865/female 2,049,939)
- 55-64 years
- 13.66% (male 620,362/female 728,387)
- 65 years and over
- 18.65% (male 693,609/female 1,148,373) (2016 est.)
Birth rate
9.1 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)
Death rate
12.8 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)
Dependency ratios
- 47.9% 21.5% 26.3% 3.8% (2015 est.)
- elderly dependency ratio
- 26.3%
- potential support ratio
- 3.8% (2015 est.)
- total dependency ratio
- 47.9%
- youth dependency ratio
- 21.5%
Drinking water source
- urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
- rural
- 0% of population
- total
- 0% of population (2015 est.)
- urban
- 0% of population
Education expenditures
4.6% of GDP (2011)
Ethnic groups
- Hungarian 85.6%, Roma 3.2%, German 1.9%, other 2.6%, unspecified 14.1% percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic group (2011 est.)
- note
- percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic group (2011 est.)
Health expenditures
7.4% of GDP (2014)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths
100 (2013 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
NA
Hospital bed density
7.2 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Infant mortality rate
- 5 deaths/1,000 live births 5.2 deaths/1,000 live births 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
- female
- 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
- male
- 5.2 deaths/1,000 live births
- total
- 5 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages
- Hungarian (official) 99.6%, English 16%, German 11.2%, Russian 1.6%, Romanian 1.3%, French 1.2%, other 4.2% shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census; Hungarian is the mother tongue of 98.9% of Hungarian speakers (2011 est.)
- note
- shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census; Hungarian is the mother tongue of 98.9% of Hungarian speakers (2011 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
- 75.9 years 72.2 years 79.8 years (2016 est.)
- female
- 79.8 years (2016 est.)
- male
- 72.2 years
- total population
- 75.9 years
Literacy
- age 15 and over can read and write 99.1% 99.1% 99% (2015 est.)
- definition
- age 15 and over can read and write
- female
- 99% (2015 est.)
- male
- 99.1%
- total population
- 99.1%
Major infectious diseases
- intermediate tickborne encephalitis (2016)
- degree of risk
- intermediate
- vectorborne diseases
- tickborne encephalitis (2016)
Major urban areas - population
BUDAPEST (capital) 1.714 million (2015)
Maternal mortality rate
17 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
Median age
- 41.8 years 39.9 years 44.1 years (2016 est.)
- female
- 44.1 years (2016 est.)
- male
- 39.9 years
- total
- 41.8 years
Mother's mean age at first birth
28.2 (2013 est.)
Nationality
- Hungarian(s) Hungarian
- adjective
- Hungarian
- noun
- Hungarian(s)
Net migration rate
1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
26% (2014)
Physicians density
3.1 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
Population
9,874,784 (July 2016 est.)
Population distribution
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
Population growth rate
-0.24% (2016 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic 37.2%, Calvinist 11.6%, Lutheran 2.2%, Greek Catholic 1.8%, other 1.9%, none 18.2%, unspecified 27.2% (2011 est.)
Sanitation facility access
- urban: 97.8% of population rural: 98.6% of population total: 98% of population urban: 2.2% of population rural: 1.4% of population total: 2% of population (2015 est.)
- rural
- 1.4% of population
- total
- 2% of population (2015 est.)
- urban
- 2.2% of population
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- 16 years 15 years 16 years (2014)
- female
- 16 years (2014)
- male
- 15 years
- total
- 16 years
Sex ratio
- 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female 0.6 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 1.06 male(s)/female
- 15-24 years
- 1.07 male(s)/female
- 25-54 years
- 1.01 male(s)/female
- 55-64 years
- 0.85 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over
- 0.6 male(s)/female
- at birth
- 1.06 male(s)/female
- total population
- 0.91 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.44 children born/woman (2016 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
- 20.4% 20% 20.9% (2014 est.)
- female
- 20.9% (2014 est.)
- male
- 20%
- total
- 20.4%
Urbanization
- 71.2% of total population (2015) 0.47% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- rate of urbanization
- 0.47% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- urban population
- 71.2% of total population (2015)
Government
Administrative divisions
- 19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 23 cities with county rights (megyei jogu varosok, singular - megyei jogu varos), and 1 capital city (fovaros) 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 Bekescsaba, Debrecen, Dunaujvaros, Eger, Erd, Gyor, Hodmezovasarhely, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa, Nyiregyhaza, Pecs, Salgotarjan, Sopron, Szeged, Szekesfehervar, Szekszard, Szolnok, Szombathely, Tatabanya, Veszprem, Zalaegerszeg Budapest
- capital city
- Budapest
- cities with county rights
- Bekescsaba, Debrecen, Dunaujvaros, Eger, Erd, Gyor, Hodmezovasarhely, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa, Nyiregyhaza, Pecs, Salgotarjan, Sopron, Szeged, Szekesfehervar, Szekszard, Szolnok, Szombathely, Tatabanya, Veszprem, Zalaegerszeg
- 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
Capital
- Budapest 47 30 N, 19 05 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
- daylight saving time
- +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
- geographic coordinates
- 47 30 N, 19 05 E
- name
- Budapest
- time difference
- UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Citizenship
- no at least one parent must be a citizen of Hungary yes 8 years
- citizenship by birth
- no
- citizenship by descent only
- at least one parent must be a citizen of Hungary
- dual citizenship recognized
- yes
- residency requirement for naturalization
- 8 years
Constitution
previous 1949 (heavily amended in 1989 following collapse of communism); latest approved 18 April 2011, signed 25 April 2011, effective 1 January 2012; amended several times, last in 2013 (2016)
Country name
- none Hungary none Magyarorszag the Byzantine Greeks refered to the tribes that arrived on the steppes of Eastern Europe in the 9th century as the "Oungroi," a name that was later Latinized to "Ungri" and which became "Hungari"; the name originally meant an "[alliance of] ten tribes"; the Hungarian name "Magyarorszag" means "Land of the Magyars"; the term may derive from the most prominent of the Hungarian tribes, the Megyer
- conventional long form
- none
- conventional short form
- Hungary
- etymology
- the Byzantine Greeks refered to the tribes that arrived on the steppes of Eastern Europe in the 9th century as the "Oungroi," a name that was later Latinized to "Ungri" and which became "Hungari"; the name originally meant an "[alliance of] ten tribes"; the Hungarian name "Magyarorszag" means "Land of the Magyars"; the term may derive from the most prominent of the Hungarian tribes, the Megyer
- local long form
- none
- local short form
- Magyarorszag
Diplomatic representation from the US
- Ambassador Colleen Bradley BELL (since 21 January 2015) Szabadsag ter 12, H-1054 Budapest pouch: American Embassy Budapest, 5270 Budapest Place, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270 [36] (1) 475-4400 [36] (1) 475-4764
- chief of mission
- Ambassador Colleen Bradley BELL (since 21 January 2015)
- embassy
- Szabadsag ter 12, H-1054 Budapest
- FAX
- [36] (1) 475-4764
- mailing address
- pouch: American Embassy Budapest, 5270 Budapest Place, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270
- telephone
- [36] (1) 475-4400
Diplomatic representation in the US
- Ambassador Reka SZEMERKENYI (since 23 February 2015) 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 362-6730 [1] (202) 966-8135 Los Angeles, New York Boston
- chancery
- 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
- chief of mission
- Ambassador Reka SZEMERKENYI (since 23 February 2015)
- consulate(s)
- Boston
- consulate(s) general
- Los Angeles, New York
- FAX
- [1] (202) 966-8135
- telephone
- [1] (202) 362-6730
Executive branch
- Janos ADER (since 10 May 2012) Prime Minister Viktor ORBAN (since 29 May 2010) Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister and appointed by the president president indirectly elected by the National Assembly with two-thirds majority vote in first round or simple majority vote in second round for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 2 May 2012 (next to be held by May 2017); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president Janos ADER (Fidesz) elected president; National Assembly vote - 262 to 40; Viktor ORBAN (Fidesz) elected prime minister; National Assembly vote - 130 to 57 (in 2014)
- cabinet
- Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister and appointed by the president
- chief of state
- Janos ADER (since 10 May 2012)
- election results
- Janos ADER (Fidesz) elected president; National Assembly vote - 262 to 40; Viktor ORBAN (Fidesz) elected prime minister; National Assembly vote - 130 to 57 (in 2014)
- elections/appointments
- president indirectly elected by the National Assembly with two-thirds majority vote in first round or simple majority vote in second round for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 2 May 2012 (next to be held by May 2017); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president
- head of government
- Prime Minister Viktor ORBAN (since 29 May 2010)
Flag description
- three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green; the flag dates to the national movement of the 18th and 19th centuries, and fuses the medieval colors of the Hungarian coat of arms with the revolutionary tricolor form of the French flag; folklore attributes virtues to the colors: red for strength, white for faithfulness, and green for hope; alternatively, the red is seen as being for the blood spilled in defense of the land, white for freedom, and green for the pasturelands that make up so much of the country
- three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green; the flag dates to the national movement of the 18th and 19th centuries, and fuses the medieval colors of the Hungarian coat of arms with the revolutionary tricolor form of the French flag; folkl
- red for strength, white for faithfulness, and green for hope; alternatively, the red is seen as being for the blood spilled in defense of the land, white for freedom, and green for the pasturelands that make up so much of the country
Government type
parliamentary republic
Independence
- 16 November 1918 (republic proclaimed); notable earlier dates: 25 December 1000 (crowning of King STEPHEN I, traditional founding date); 30 March 1867 (Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy established)
- 16 November 1918 (republic proclaimed); notable earlier dates
- 25 December 1000 (crowning of King STEPHEN I, traditional founding date); 30 March 1867 (Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy established)
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation
Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Judicial branch
- Curia or Supreme Judicial Court (consists of the Curia president, vice president, and approximately 76 judges organized into 16 civil chambers, 3 criminal chambers, and 4 administrative chambers); Constitutional Court (consists of 15 judges including the court president and 2 vice-presidents) Curia president elected from among its members for 9 years by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president of the republic; other Curia judges appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, a separate 15-member administrative body; judge tenure based on interim evaluations until normal retirement age; Constitutional Court judges elected by two-thirds vote of the National Assembly; members serve single renewable 12-year terms with mandatory retirement at age 70 5 regional courts of appeal; 19 regional or county courts (including Budapest Metropolitan Court); 20 administrative and labor courts; 111 district or local courts
- highest court(s)
- Curia or Supreme Judicial Court (consists of the Curia president, vice president, and approximately 76 judges organized into 16 civil chambers, 3 criminal chambers, and 4 administrative chambers); Constitutional Court (consists of 15 judges including the court president and 2 vice-presidents)
- judge selection and term of office
- Curia president elected from among its members for 9 years by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president of the republic; other Curia judges appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, a separate 15-member administrative body; judge tenure based on interim evaluations until normal retirement age; Constitutional Court judges elected by two-thirds vote of the National Assembly; members serve single renewable 12-year terms with mandatory retirement at age 70
- subordinate courts
- 5 regional courts of appeal; 19 regional or county courts (including Budapest Metropolitan Court); 20 administrative and labor courts; 111 district or local courts
Legal system
civil legal system influenced by the German model
Legislative branch
- unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (199 seats; 106 members directly elected in single-member constituencies by simple majority vote and 93 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by party list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) last held on 6 April 2014 (next to be held by April 2018) percent of vote by party - Fidesz-KDNP 44.5%, Unity 26%, Jobbik 20.5%, LMP 5.3%, other 3.7%; seats by party - Fidesz-KDNP 133, Unity 38, Jobbik 23, LMP 5
- description
- unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (199 seats; 106 members directly elected in single-member constituencies by simple majority vote and 93 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by party list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
- election results
- percent of vote by party - Fidesz-KDNP 44.5%, Unity 26%, Jobbik 20.5%, LMP 5.3%, other 3.7%; seats by party - Fidesz-KDNP 133, Unity 38, Jobbik 23, LMP 5
- elections
- last held on 6 April 2014 (next to be held by April 2018)
National anthem
- "Himnusz" (Hymn) Ferenc KOLCSEY/Ferenc ERKEL adopted 1844
- lyrics/music
- Ferenc KOLCSEY/Ferenc ERKEL
- name
- "Himnusz" (Hymn)
- note
- adopted 1844
National holiday
Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August; note - commemorates the date when his remains were transferred to Buda (now Budapest)
National symbol(s)
- Holy Crown of Hungary (Crown of Saint Stephen); national colors: red, white, green
- Holy Crown of Hungary (Crown of Saint Stephen); national colors
- red, white, green
Political parties and leaders
Christian Democratic People's Party or KDNP [Zsolt SEMJEN] Democratic Coalition or DK [Ferenc GYURCSANY] Dialogue for Hungary or PM [Javor BENEDEK, Timea SZABO, co-chairs] Fidesz-Hungarian Civic Alliance or Fidesz [Viktor ORBAN] Hungarian Liberal Party or MLP [Gabor FODOR] Hungarian Socialist Party or MSZP [Jozsef TOBIAS] Movement for a Better Hungary or Jobbik [Gabor VONA] Politics Can Be Different or LMP [Andras SCHIFFER, Bernadett SZEL] Together 2014 or Egyutt [Peter JUHASZ, Peter KONYA, Viktor SZIGETVARI]
Political pressure groups and leaders
Civil Osszefogas Forum ("Civil Unity Forum," nominally independent organization that serves as the steering committee for the pro-government mass organization Bekemenet (Peace March), supporting ORBAN government's policies) Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (Tarsasag a Szabadsagjogokert) or TASZ (freedom of expression, information privacy) Hungarian Helsinki Committee (asylum seekers' rights, human rights in law enforcement and the judicial system) MigSzol (Migrant Solidarity Group of Hungary) (independent advocacy group on migration crisis) MostMi ("Now Us") [Bori TAKACS, Zsolt VARADY](Facebook group that was a major participant at anti-government demonstrations in late 2014-early 2015; pro-Europe, anti-establishment movement that blames Fidesz for the state of the country, but also blames all established political parties for perceived political and economic failures since the fall of communism) Okotars (empowerment of civil society in Hungary) Energy Club (Energia Klub) Greenpeace Hungary (Greenpeace Magyarorszag)
Suffrage
18 years of age, 16 if married; universal
Economy
Agriculture - products
wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle, poultry, dairy products
Budget
- $58.77 billion $61.21 billion (2015 est.)
- expenditures
- $61.21 billion (2015 est.)
- revenues
- $58.77 billion
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
- -2% of GDP Hungary has been under the EU Excessive Deficit Procedure since it joined the EU in 2004; in March 2012 the EU elevated its Excessive Deficit Procedure against Hungary and proposed freezing 30% of the country's Cohesion Funds because 2011 deficit reductions were not achieved in a sustainable manner; in June 2012, the EU lifted the freeze, recognizing that steps had been taken to reduce the deficit; the latest EC forecasts project the Hungarian deficit to increase above 3% both in 2013 and in 2014 due to sluggish growth and the government's fiscal tightening (2015 est.)
- note
- Hungary has been under the EU Excessive Deficit Procedure since it joined the EU in 2004; in March 2012 the EU elevated its Excessive Deficit Procedure against Hungary and proposed freezing 30% of the country's Cohesion Funds because 2011 deficit reductions were not achieved in a sustainable manner; in June 2012, the EU lifted the freeze, recognizing that steps had been taken to reduce the deficit; the latest EC forecasts project the Hungarian deficit to increase above 3% both in 2013 and in 2014 due to sluggish growth and the government's fiscal tightening (2015 est.)
Central bank discount rate
1.35% (22 July 2015) 2.1% (23 July 2014)
Commercial bank prime lending rate
2.9% (31 December 2015 est.) 4.45% (31 December 2014 est.)
Current account balance
$6.141 billion (2015 est.) $3.13 billion (2014 est.)
Debt - external
$127.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $145.3 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
30.6 (2013 est.) 24.7 (2009)
Economy - overview
Hungary has made the transition from a centrally planned to a market economy, with a per capita income nearly two-thirds that of the EU-28 average. In late 2008, Hungary's impending inability to service its short-term debt - brought on by the global financial crisis - led Budapest to obtain an IMF/EU/World Bank-arranged financial assistance package worth over $25 billion. The global economic downturn, declining exports, and low domestic consumption and investment, dampened by government austerity measures, resulted in a severe economic contraction in 2009. In 2010, the new government implemented a number of changes including cutting business and personal income taxes, but imposed "crisis taxes" on financial institutions, energy and telecom companies, and retailers. The IMF/EU bailout program lapsed at the end of 2010 and was replaced by Post Program Monitoring and Article IV Consultations on overall economic and fiscal processes. At the end of 2011 the government turned to the IMF and the EU to obtain a financial backstop to support its efforts to refinance foreign currency debt and bond obligations in 2012 and beyond, but Budapest's rejection of EU and IMF economic policy recommendations led to a breakdown in talks with the lenders in late 2012. Global demand for high yield has since helped Hungary to obtain funds on international markets. Hungary’s progress reducing its deficit to under 3% of GDP led the European Commission in 2013 to permit Hungary for the first time since joining the EU in 2004 to exit the Excessive Deficit Procedure. The government remains committed to keeping the budget deficit in check and lowering public debt by using sectoral taxes, while relying on state interventionist measures to lower utility prices and boost growth and employment.
Exchange rates
forints (HUF) per US dollar - 279.33 (2015 est.) 232.6 (2014 est.) 232.6 (2013 est.) 225.1 (2012 est.) 201.05 (2011 est.)
Exports
$89.44 billion (2015 est.) $99.19 billion (2014 est.)
Exports - commodities
machinery and equipment 53.5%, other manufactures 31.2%, food products 8.7%, raw materials 3.4%, fuels and electricity 3.9% (2012 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 28%, Romania 5.4%, Slovakia 5.1%, Austria 5%, Italy 4.8%, France 4.7%, UK 4%, Czech Republic 4% (2015)
Fiscal year
calendar year
GDP - composition, by end use
- 49.5% 19.9% 21.3% 0.6% 92.1% -83.5% (2015 est.)
- exports of goods and services
- 92.1%
- government consumption
- 19.9%
- household consumption
- 49.5%
- imports of goods and services
- -83.5% (2015 est.)
- investment in fixed capital
- 21.3%
- investment in inventories
- 0.6%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- 3.6% 31.8% 64.6% (2015 est.)
- agriculture
- 3.6%
- industry
- 31.8%
- services
- 64.6% (2015 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
- $26,200 (2015 est.) $25,400 (2014 est.) $24,400 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars
- note
- data are in 2015 US dollars
GDP - real growth rate
2.9% (2015 est.) 3.7% (2014 est.) 1.9% (2013 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$120.6 billion (2015 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $258.4 billion (2015 est.) $251.1 billion (2014 est.) $242.2 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars
- note
- data are in 2015 US dollars
Gross national saving
26.1% of GDP (2015 est.) 24.2% of GDP (2014 est.) 24.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
- 3.1% 22.6% (2009)
- highest 10%
- 22.6% (2009)
- lowest 10%
- 3.1%
Imports
$84.7 billion (2015 est.) $95.81 billion (2014 est.)
Imports - commodities
machinery and equipment 45.4%, other manufactures 34.3%, fuels and electricity 12.6%, food products 5.3%, raw materials 2.5% (2012)
Imports - partners
Germany 25.8%, China 6.7%, Austria 6.6%, Poland 5.5%, Slovakia 5.3%, France 5%, Czech Republic 4.8%, Netherlands 4.6%, Italy 4.5% (2015)
Industrial production growth rate
5.8% (2015 est.)
Industries
mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
-0.1% (2015 est.) -0.2% (2014 est.)
Labor force
4.519 million (2015 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
- 7.1% 29.7% 63.2% (2011 est.)
- agriculture
- 7.1%
- industry
- 29.7%
- services
- 63.2% (2011 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares
$25.69 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $22.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $27.71 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
Population below poverty line
14.9% (2015 est.)
Public debt
- 75.3% of GDP (2015 est.) 76.2% of GDP (2014 est.) general government gross debt is defined in the Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities: currency and deposits, securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives, and government, state government, local government, and social security funds
- note
- general government gross debt is defined in the Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities: currency and deposits, securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives, and government, state government, local government, and social security funds
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$33.13 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $42.02 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of broad money
$68.87 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $66.91 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$165.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $167.2 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$236.2 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $237.1 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
$69.85 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $76.18 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of narrow money
$46.14 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $41.44 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
48.7% of GDP (2015 est.)
Unemployment rate
6.8% (2015 est.) 7.7% (2014 est.)
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
47 million Mt (2013 est.)
Crude oil - exports
1,740 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - imports
134,700 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - production
12,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves
27.19 million bbl (1 January 2016 es)
Electricity - consumption
21.55 billion kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - exports
5.378 billion kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels
22% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
0.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
61% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources
6.8% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)
Electricity - imports
18.15 billion kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
9.289 million kW (2015 est.)
Electricity - production
28 billion kWh (2014 est.)
Electricity access
- 100% (2016)
- electrification - total population
- 100% (2016)
Natural gas - consumption
8.46 billion cu m (2015 est.)
Natural gas - exports
226.6 million cu m (2015 est.)
Natural gas - imports
8.167 billion cu m (2015 est.)
Natural gas - production
1.505 billion cu m (2015 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
8.268 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)
Refined petroleum products - consumption
154,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports
47,900 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports
52,310 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production
159,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Communications
Broadcast media
mixed system of state-supported public service broadcast media and private broadcasters; the 5 publicly owned TV channels and the 2 main privately owned TV stations are the major national broadcasters; a large number of special interest channels; highly developed market for satellite and cable TV services with about two-thirds of viewers utilizing their services; 4 state-supported public-service radio networks and 1 major national commercial station; a large number of local stations including commercial, public service, nonprofit, and community radio stations; digital transition completed at the end of 2013 (2016)
Internet country code
.hu
Internet users
- 7.209 million 72.8% (July 2015 est.)
- percent of population
- 72.8% (July 2015 est.)
- total
- 7.209 million
Telephone system
- modern telephone system is digital and highly automated; trunk services are carried by fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay competition among mobile-cellular service providers has led to a sharp increase in the use of mobile-cellular phones since 2000 and a decrease in the number of fixed-line connections 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 (2015)
- domestic
- competition among mobile-cellular service providers has led to a sharp increase in the use of mobile-cellular phones since 2000 and a decrease in the number of fixed-line connections
- general assessment
- modern telephone system is digital and highly automated; trunk services are carried by fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay
- 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 (2015)
Telephones - fixed lines
- 3,094,228 31 (July 2015 est.)
- subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
- 31 (July 2015 est.)
- total subscriptions
- 3,094,228
Telephones - mobile cellular
- 11.786 million 119 (July 2015 est.)
- subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
- 119 (July 2015 est.)
- total
- 11.786 million
Transportation
Airports
41 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways
- 1 (2013)
- 1,524 to 2,437 m
- 6
- 2,438 to 3,047 m
- 6
- 914 to 1,523 m
- 5
- over 3,047 m
- 2
- total
- 20
- under 914 m
- 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways
- 11 (2013)
- 1,524 to 2,437 m
- 2
- 914 to 1,523 m
- 8
- total
- 21
- under 914 m
- 11 (2013)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
HA (2016)
Heliports
3 (2013)
National air transport system
- 20,042,185 0 mt-km (2015)
- annual freight traffic on registered air carriers
- 0 mt-km (2015)
- annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers
- 20,042,185
- inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers
- 75
- number of registered air carriers
- 5
Pipelines
gas 19,028 km; oil 1,007 km; refined products 842 km (2013)
Ports and terminals
- Baja, Csepel (Budapest), Dunaujvaros, Gyor-Gonyu, Mohacs (Danube)
- river port(s)
- Baja, Csepel (Budapest), Dunaujvaros, Gyor-Gonyu, Mohacs (Danube)
Railways
- 8,049 km 36 km 1.524-m gauge 7,794 km 1.435-m gauge (2,889 km electrified) 219 km 0.760-m gauge (2014)
- broad gauge
- 36 km 1.524-m gauge
- narrow gauge
- 219 km 0.760-m gauge (2014)
- standard gauge
- 7,794 km 1.435-m gauge (2,889 km electrified)
- total
- 8,049 km
Roadways
- 203,601 km 77,087 km (includes 1,582 km of expressways) 126,514 km (2014)
- paved
- 77,087 km (includes 1,582 km of expressways)
- total
- 203,601 km
- unpaved
- 126,514 km (2014)
Waterways
1,622 km (most on Danube River) (2011)
Military and Security
Military branches
- Hungarian Defense Forces: Land Forces, Hungarian Air Force (Magyar Legiero, ML) (2011)
- Hungarian Defense Forces
- Land Forces, Hungarian Air Force (Magyar Legiero, ML) (2011)
Military expenditures
0.8% of GDP (2015) 0.83% of GDP (2012) 0.99% of GDP (2011) 0.83% of GDP (2010)
Military service age and obligation
18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; 6-month service obligation (2012)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
bilateral government, legal, technical and economic working group negotiations continue in 2006 with Slovakia over Hungary's failure to complete its portion of the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam project along the Danube; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Hungary has implemented the strict Schengen border rules
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; efforts to counter money laundering, related to organized crime and drug trafficking are improving but remain vulnerable; significant consumer of ecstasy
Refugees and internally displaced persons
- 5,950 applicants for forms of legal stay other than asylum (Ukraine) (2015) 132 (2015) 410,300 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (2015 - November 2016)
- note
- 410,300 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (2015 - November 2016)
- refugees (countries of origin)
- 5,950 applicants for forms of legal stay other than asylum (Ukraine) (2015)
- stateless persons
- 132 (2015)