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Hungary

Europe

All indicators of the Macroscope base for Hungary, with sources. Below: what past UN and IMF releases projected and what actually happened.

Population
9.69M
persons, 1 July, 2023
Total fertility rate
1.31
children per woman, 2025
Internet users
93.8
% of population, 2024
Mobile cellular subscriptions
104.6
per 100 people, 2024
GDP per capita, PPP
41,161
constant 2021 international $, 2025
Urban population
70.7
% of population, 2025

What the data shows

Computed with the same code as the observations under the main chart and in the API (get_insights). Moving together in time does not prove a cause.

How the indicators changed

  • Fertility (TFR): 2.62 in 1950 → 1.31 in 2025 (−50%). Peak: 2.96 in 1954; the latest value is 56% lower. Thresholds: below 2.1 since 1978, below 1.5 since 2023. The trend broke around 1960 and 2009: −0.06 → −0.02 → +0.01 a year.
  • Births: 196k in 1950 → 73.3k in 2025 (−63%). Peak: 223k in 1954; the latest value is 67% lower. The trend broke around 1963 and 1973: −6.39k → +2.61k → −1.71k a year.
  • Population: 9.34M in 1950 → 9.69M in 2023 (+4%). The trend broke around 1956 and 1980: +82.1k → +34.7k → −23.7k a year.
  • Internet: 0% in 1990 → 93.8% in 2024 (+94 pp). Thresholds: above 10% since 2001, above 50% since 2007, above 90% since 2023. Fastest growth in 2003–2008: 21.6% → 61%.
  • Urban share: 53.4% in 1960 → 70.7% in 2025 (+17 pp). The trend broke around 1998 and 2013: +0.27 → +0.48 → +0.02 a year.
  • GDP per person (PPP): 21,297 PPP dollars in 1990 → 41,161 PPP dollars in 2025 (+93%). Low: 18,113 PPP dollars in 1993; +127% since then. The trend broke around 2014: change sped up (+558 → +1,056 a year).
  • GDP growth: on average 1.5% in the 1980s, −0.4% in the 1990s, 2.5% in the 2000s, 2.9% in the 2010s, 1.2% in the 2020s. Lowest: −11.9% in 1991; highest: 7.2% in 2021.
  • Inflation: on average 9.0% in the 1980s, 22.2% in the 1990s, 6.1% in the 2000s, 2.5% in the 2010s, 8.1% in the 2020s. Lowest: −0.2% in 2014; highest: 34.2% in 1991.

What changed at the same time

  • The fastest decline of "Fertility (TFR)" was in 1954–1964: 2.96 → 1.82. Over the same years: births 223k → 132k; population 9.71M → 10.1M; urban share 54.1% (1964); no data for the others in those years.
  • Over the last 10 years (2015–2025): fertility (TFR) 1.45 → 1.31; births 92k → 73.3k; population 9.84M (2015); internet 72.8% → 93.8%; urban share 70.5% → 70.7%; GDP per person (PPP) 31,486 PPP dollars → 41,161 PPP dollars; GDP growth 3.7% → 0.4%; inflation −0.1% → 4.4%.

How the indicators relate

  • Fertility (TFR) and internet (1990–2024, 35 years): levels are barely related (r = −0.17); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = 0.38).
  • Fertility (TFR) and urban share (1960–2025, 66 years): levels are strongly related, in opposite directions (r = −0.81); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = −0.02). This looks like a shared trend: both change over time, but not in step from year to year.
  • Fertility (TFR) and GDP per person (PPP) (1990–2025, 36 years): levels are barely related (r = −0.14); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = 0.11).

Forecasts vs actual

  • Fertility (TFR): past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 7 of 12 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 5; median gap −1%.
  • The UN 2002 projection expected this level (1.31) already around 2014: reality is 11 years behind it.
  • The UN 2004 projection expected this level (1.31) already around 2011: reality is 14 years behind it.
  • Fertility (TFR): UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 1.55 (+18% vs 2025), 2100 — 1.59 (+22% vs 2025); low variant for 2100: 1.09.
  • Births: past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 6 of 12 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 6; median gap 0%.
  • The UN 1998 projection expected today's level (73.3k, 2025) only around 2031: reality is 6 years ahead of it.
  • The UN 2022 projection expected today's level (73.3k, 2025) only around 2061: reality is 36 years ahead of it.
  • National statistics for 2025: 73.3k, 13% below the UN 2024 medium variant (84.3k) and below its 95% interval.
  • Births: UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 78.1k (+7% vs 2025), 2100 — 63.7k (−13% vs 2025); low variant for 2100: 25.5k.
  • Population: past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 4 of 12 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 8; median gap +1.5%.
  • The UN 2000 projection expected this level (9.69M) already around 2005: reality is 18 years behind it.
  • The UN 2002 projection expected this level (9.69M) already around 2007: reality is 16 years behind it.
  • Population: UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 8.73M (−10% vs 2023), 2100 — 7.46M (−23% vs 2023); low variant for 2100: 5.18M.
  • GDP growth: IMF next-year forecasts (36 editions, 2007–2024). On average the outcome was 0.9 pp below the forecast; below it in 53% of cases; typical error ±2.7 pp. The biggest miss was for 2009: IMF, April 2008 expected 2.5%, the outcome was −6.7%.
  • GDP growth: latest IMF forecast (IMF, April 2026): 2026 — 1.7%, 2028 — 2.3%, 2031 — 2.5%.
  • Inflation: IMF next-year forecasts (36 editions, 2007–2024). On average the outcome was 0.9 pp above the forecast; below it in 39% of cases; typical error ±2.3 pp. The biggest miss was for 2022: IMF, April 2021 expected 3.5%, the outcome was 14.6%.
  • Inflation: latest IMF forecast (IMF, April 2026): 2026 — 3.8%, 2028 — 3.1%, 2031 — 3%.

UN projections vs actual

Solid line: actual data, UN WPP 2024 estimates to 2023, then national statistics where comparable with the UN. Dashed: medium variants of past UN revisions. The table shows what each revision expected for the latest year (or five-year period) with actual data.

Population

persons, 1 July
Hungary: PopulationActual 2023: 9.69M8.5M9M9.5M10M10.5M19902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 1998202325 years9.01M9.69M+7.5%
UN 2000202323 years8.88M9.69M+9.1%
UN 2002202321 years8.95M9.69M+8.2%
UN 2004202319 years9.52M9.69M+1.8%
UN 2006202317 years9.52M9.69M+1.8%
UN 2008202315 years9.7M9.69M−0.1%
UN 2010202313 years9.78M9.69M−0.9%
UN 2012202311 years9.73M9.69M−0.4%
UN 201520238 years9.57M9.69M+1.2%
UN 201720236 years9.51M9.69M+1.8%
UN 201920234 years9.58M9.69M+1.1%
UN 202220231 year10.2M9.69M−4.6%

Births

births per year
Hungary: BirthsActual 2025: 73.3k60k80k100k120k140k19902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 19982020–202524 years77.6k86.2k+11.1%
UN 20002020–202522 years76k86.2k+13.4%
UN 20022020–202520 years78.6k86.2k+9.6%
UN 20042020–202518 years81.3k86.2k+6%
UN 20062020–202516 years84.4k86.2k+2.1%
UN 20082020–202514 years91.2k86.2k−5.5%
UN 20102020–202512 years97.7k86.2k−11.8%
UN 20122020–202510 years92.7k86.2k−7.1%
UN 20152020–20258 years87.4k86.2k−1.4%
UN 20172020–20256 years84.9k86.2k+1.5%
UN 20192020–20254 years89k86.2k−3.1%
UN 202220253 years97k73.3k−24.4%

Total fertility rate

children per woman
Hungary: Total fertility rateActual 2025: 1.3111.21.41.61.8219902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 19982020–202524 years1.521.50−1.5%
UN 20002020–202522 years1.481.50+1.6%
UN 20022020–202520 years1.511.50−0.8%
UN 20042020–202518 years1.461.50+3%
UN 20062020–202516 years1.461.50+3%
UN 20082020–202514 years1.521.50−1.3%
UN 20102020–202512 years1.591.50−5.7%
UN 20122020–202510 years1.531.50−1.9%
UN 20152020–20258 years1.461.50+2.8%
UN 20172020–20256 years1.451.50+3.4%
UN 20192020–20254 years1.541.50−2.7%
UN 202220253 years1.591.31−17.5%

IMF forecasts vs actual

Solid line: actual values from the latest IMF edition (data get revised, so we use the newest). Dashed: April editions, current year and five years ahead. The table covers next-year forecasts from all editions: mean error shows bias, mean absolute error shows accuracy.

Real GDP growth

% per year
Hungary: Real GDP growthActual 2025: 0.4−10−505102000200520102015202020252030
  • Actual (IMF)
  • WEO, April editions
IndicatorForecastsMean errorMean absolute errorActual below forecast
Real GDP growth36−0.9 pp2.7 pp53%
Inflation36+0.9 pp2.3 pp39%
Unemployment rate29−0.7 pp1 pp66%
Government gross debt28+0.6 pp3.2 pp54%

All indicators

Demography

Population

9.69M persons, 1 July latest value, 2023

Hungary: Population1950: 9.34M; 2023: 9.69M05M10M15M19501975200020252050

Population on 1 July. UN estimate to 2023, medium variant from 2024; past UN revisions for forecast checks.

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Life expectancy at birth, women

80.2 years latest value, 2023

Hungary: Life expectancy at birth, women1950: 64.3; 2023: 80.202040608010019501975200020252050

Years a newborn girl would live at the mortality rates of the year (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Life expectancy at birth, men

73.7 years latest value, 2023

Hungary: Life expectancy at birth, men1950: 59.9; 2023: 73.702040608019501975200020252050

Years a newborn boy would live at the mortality rates of the year (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Median age

43.3 years latest value, 2023

Hungary: Median age1950: 29.1; 2023: 43.30102030405019501975200020252050

Age that divides the population in two halves (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Mean age of mothers at childbirth

30 years latest value, 2023

Hungary: Mean age of mothers at childbirth1950: 27.2; 2023: 3001020304019501975200020252050

Mean age of mothers at the birth of their children of any order (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Sex ratio at birth

105.9 boys per 100 girls latest value, 2023

Hungary: Sex ratio at birth1950: 107.3; 2023: 105.905010015019501975200020252050

Boys born per 100 girls born (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Net migration

49.2k persons per year latest value, 2023

Hungary: Net migration1950: 1.22k; 2023: 49.2k−150k−100k−50k050k19501975200020252050

Immigrants minus emigrants per year (UN estimate and projection).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Old-age dependency

33.3 persons 65+ per 100 aged 20-64 latest value, 2020

Hungary: Old-age dependency1950: 13.2; 2020: 33.3020406019501975200020252050

Persons aged 65+ per 100 aged 20-64, every five years (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Digitalisation

Internet users

93.8 % of population latest value, 2024

Hungary: Internet users1990: 0; 2024: 93.80204060801001990199520002005201020152020

Share of individuals who used the Internet in the last three months from any device. ITU data.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Mobile cellular subscriptions

104.6 per 100 people latest value, 2024

Hungary: Mobile cellular subscriptions1960: 0; 2024: 104.60501001501960197019801990200020102020

Active mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people; can exceed 100 when people have several SIM cards. ITU data.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Fixed broadband subscriptions

37.5 subscriptions per 100 people latest value, 2024

Hungary: Fixed broadband subscriptions2000: 0; 2024: 37.501020304020002005201020152020

Fixed subscriptions to high-speed Internet (256 kbit/s or more) per 100 people. ITU data.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Economy

GDP per capita, PPP

41,161 constant 2021 international $ latest value, 2025

Hungary: GDP per capita, PPP1990: 21,297; 2025: 41,161010,00020,00030,00040,00050,00019901995200020052010201520202025

Gross domestic product per person at purchasing power parity, constant 2021 international dollars (World Bank, ICP).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Real GDP growth

0.4 % per year latest value, 2025

Hungary: Real GDP growth1980: 0.2; 2025: 0.40246819801990200020102020

Annual change of GDP at constant prices. Actual values and forecasts from IMF WEO editions.

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Inflation

4.4 % per year, average latest value, 2025

Hungary: Inflation1980: 9.3; 2025: 4.401020304019801990200020102020

Change of the annual average consumer price index (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Government gross debt

75.2 % of GDP latest value, 2025

Hungary: Government gross debt1995: 83.9; 2025: 75.20204060801001995200020052010201520202025

General government gross debt, percent of GDP (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Unemployment rate

4.3 % of labour force latest value, 2025

Hungary: Unemployment rate1980: 0.6; 2025: 4.305101519801990200020102020

Unemployed as a share of the labour force (IMF WEO; national definitions).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

GDP per capita, US dollars

25,826 current US dollars latest value, 2025

Hungary: GDP per capita, US dollars1980: 2,159; 2025: 25,826010,00020,00030,00019801990200020102020

GDP per person in current US dollars at market exchange rates (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Society

Urban population

70.7 % of population latest value, 2025

Hungary: Urban population1960: 53.4; 2025: 70.70204060801960197019801990200020102020

Share of people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices (World Bank, from UN World Urbanization Prospects).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Tertiary enrolment, women

67.8 % gross latest value, 2024

Hungary: Tertiary enrolment, women2001: 47.6; 2024: 67.80204060802005201020152020

Women enrolled in tertiary education as a share of women in the five-year age group after secondary school; can exceed 100 (UNESCO).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Women with upper secondary education

81.2 % of women 25+ latest value, 2023

Hungary: Women with upper secondary education1970: 13; 2023: 81.2020406080100197019801990200020102020

Share of women aged 25+ who completed at least upper secondary education (UNESCO).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Life expectancy at birth

76.7 years latest value, 2024

Hungary: Life expectancy at birth1960: 68; 2024: 76.70204060801960197019801990200020102020

Life expectancy at birth, both sexes (World Bank, from UN and national statistics).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Same region: Europe