#96 in world Europe UN member

Hungary

Budapest Europe Central Europe

Hungary is a landlocked Central European nation characterized by its historical capital of Budapest and its strategic location within the Carpathian Basin. Recent estimates place the country's population at approximately 9.5 million people, with a current GDP per capita of 23,554 USD.

Where is Hungary?

Hungary

Continent
Europe
Country
Hungary
Coordinates
47.00°, 20.00°

Population Details

Population
9.5M
Area
93,028 km²
Density per km²
102 / km²
Growth rate
-0.31%
Annual growth
-29.9K people
Daily growth
-81.88 people
World population share
0.12%

Population Trend

Historical series from 1960 to 2026

Start 10M Latest 9.5M

Population & Social Snapshot

Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Hungary

Age Distribution

0-14 years 1.4M
15-64 years 6.1M
65+ years 2M

Urbanization

70.5% Urban
6.7M
Urban 6.7M
Rural 2.8M

Health & Education Benchmarks

Life Expectancy at Birth +4%
76.7 years
World avg: 74.0 years
Fertility Rate -40%
1.41 births per woman
World avg: 2.35 births per woman
Infant Mortality Rate -83%
3.1 per 1,000 live births
World avg: 18.6 per 1,000 live births
Literacy Rate (Adults) +25%
98.9 % of adults
World avg: 79.1 % of adults
Internet Users +29%
93.8 % of population
World avg: 72.5 % of population

Demographics

Quick Facts

Capital
Budapest
Region
Europe
Area
93,028 km²
Languages
Hungarian
Currency
Hungarian forint (Ft)
Timezones
UTC+01:00
UN Member
Yes

Economy

The Hungarian economy is a high-income market focused on foreign trade, with significant contributions from the automotive, pharmaceutical, and technology sectors. Current data indicates an annual GDP growth rate of 0.56% and an unemployment rate of 4.52%, while the nation holds a global GDP ranking of 55. For GDP per capita, the country ranks 68th globally and 6th out of 6 in its Central European subregion. The nation utilizes the Hungarian forint (Ft) and maintains a strong industrial base supported by natural resources like bauxite and fertile arable land.

Society

Social metrics in Hungary reflect a highly educated and digitally connected population, with an adult literacy rate of 98.86% that ranks 32nd globally. Internet users account for 93.8% of the total population, placing the nation 39th in the world for digital connectivity. Life expectancy at birth is currently estimated at 76.7 years, which ranks 85th among all nations. Urbanization is a prominent trend, as 70.5% of the population resides in urban centers, primarily concentrated around the capital and regional industrial hubs.

Climate & Environment

Hungary features a temperate continental climate with warm, sunny summers and cold, humid winters. Average summer temperatures frequently reach 27 °C (81 °F), while winter conditions often see temperatures drop to 0 °C (32 °F) or lower, particularly near the highest peak at Kekes, which reaches 1014 m (3327 ft). The country's flat to rolling terrain across 93028 km² (35918 sq mi) allows for varied precipitation patterns that support its extensive agricultural production.

Government & Politics

Government Type
parliamentary republic
Independence
1918-11-16 (Austria-Hungary)

Hungary is a parliamentary republic where the Prime Minister serves as the head of government and holds the primary executive authority. The legislative branch consists of the National Assembly, a unicameral body with 199 members who are elected to four-year terms. The President of the Republic serves as the head of state, a role that is largely ceremonial and focused on representing the nation internationally and performing formal constitutional duties. The political system is centralized in the capital, Budapest, which acts as the country's administrative core. Hungary is divided into 19 counties and the capital city, each with local administrative responsibilities. The legal system is founded on civil law principles, with a Constitutional Court tasked with judicial review. As a member of the United Nations since 1955 and the European Union since 2004, Hungary participates in regional and global governance while retaining the Hungarian forint (Ft) as its national currency.

History

The history of Hungary began with the arrival of the Magyars in the Carpathian Basin in 896, followed by the establishment of the Kingdom of Hungary by Saint Stephen I in the year 1000. For several centuries, the kingdom was a significant power in Central Europe until the 1526 Battle of Mohács, which led to partition between the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg Monarchy. In 1867, the Austro-Hungarian Compromise established a dual monarchy, ushering in a period of rapid industrialization and cultural growth. Hungary achieved full independence from Austria-Hungary on 16 November 1918 following the end of World War I. However, the 1920 Treaty of Trianon resulted in the loss of about two-thirds of its historical territory. After World War II, the country became a communist state under Soviet influence. A major turning point occurred in October 1956 when a national uprising against the Soviet-backed regime was violently suppressed. During the late 1960s to the 1980s, the nation practiced a relatively liberalized form of socialism often called Goulash Communism. In 1989, Hungary was at the forefront of the collapse of the Eastern Bloc, opening its border with Austria and transitioning to a multi-party democracy. It joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004, marking its full reintegration into the European political and economic framework.

Notable Facts

  • Hungary is home to Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe, which covers an area of approximately 592 km² (229 sq mi).
  • The capital city, Budapest, is famous for its extensive network of thermal springs and historic bathhouses, earning it the international nickname 'City of Spas'.
  • Hungarian inventors have contributed significantly to modern technology, with inventions including the Rubik's Cube, the ballpoint pen, and the basic principles of the hydrogen bomb.
  • The nation is entirely landlocked and shares borders with seven countries: Austria, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.
  • The Hungarian language, or Magyar, is one of the few European languages not belonging to the Indo-European family, instead originating from the Uralic language group.

Geography

Highest Point
Kekes (1,014 m)
Lowest Point
Tisza River (78 m)
Coastline
0 km

Explore weather and climate data for cities in Hungary

Monthly averages for Budapest

January
Poor
Temp
5°C / -1°C
Feels Like
1°C / -4°C
Rain
7days (34 mm) Good
Sun
5.2h Fair
Humidity
84% Humid
Snow Days
5days
February
Poor
Temp
9°C / 1°C
Feels Like
5°C / -3°C
Rain
7days (31 mm) Good
Sun
7.3h Good
Humidity
73% Muggy
Snow Days
2days
March
Fair
Temp
13°C / 2°C
Feels Like
10°C / -1°C
Rain
8days (38 mm) Wet
Sun
8.9h Good
Humidity
65% Muggy
Snow Days
1days
April
Fair
Temp
17°C / 6°C
Feels Like
14°C / 3°C
Rain
9days (47 mm) Wet
Sun
10.6h Excellent
Humidity
63% Muggy
Snow Days
1days
May
Good
Temp
21°C / 11°C
Feels Like
20°C / 9°C
Rain
11days (60 mm) Wet
Sun
11.3h Excellent
Humidity
66% Muggy
June best
Excellent
Temp
27°C / 16°C
Feels Like
28°C / 16°C
Rain
8days (63 mm) Wet
Sun
13h Excellent
Humidity
65% Muggy
July best
Excellent
Temp
29°C / 17°C
Feels Like
30°C / 17°C
Rain
8days (56 mm) Wet
Sun
13h Excellent
Humidity
62% Muggy
August best
Excellent
Temp
29°C / 17°C
Feels Like
30°C / 17°C
Rain
9days (52 mm) Wet
Sun
11.9h Excellent
Humidity
64% Muggy
September best
Excellent
Temp
24°C / 13°C
Feels Like
23°C / 12°C
Rain
10days (72 mm) Wet
Sun
9.4h Good
Humidity
70% Muggy
October best
Good
Temp
17°C / 8°C
Feels Like
15°C / 5°C
Rain
8days (56 mm) Wet
Sun
7.5h Good
Humidity
79% Humid
November
Poor
Temp
9°C / 3°C
Feels Like
7°C / 0°C
Rain
8days (51 mm) Wet
Sun
4.5h Fair
Humidity
88% Very Muggy
Snow Days
2days
December
Poor
Temp
5°C / 1°C
Feels Like
2°C / -3°C
Rain
8days (49 mm) Wet
Sun
3.6h Poor
Humidity
88% Very Muggy
Snow Days
5days
Month Temp Feels Like Rain Sun Humidity Status Details
January 5°C / -1°C 1°C / -4°C 7days (34 mm) Good 5.2h Fair 84% Humid Poor View Details
February 9°C / 1°C 5°C / -3°C 7days (31 mm) Good 7.3h Good 73% Muggy Poor View Details
March 13°C / 2°C 10°C / -1°C 8days (38 mm) Wet 8.9h Good 65% Muggy Fair View Details
April 17°C / 6°C 14°C / 3°C 9days (47 mm) Wet 10.6h Excellent 63% Muggy Fair View Details
May 21°C / 11°C 20°C / 9°C 11days (60 mm) Wet 11.3h Excellent 66% Muggy Good View Details
June best 27°C / 16°C 28°C / 16°C 8days (63 mm) Wet 13h Excellent 65% Muggy Excellent View Details
July best 29°C / 17°C 30°C / 17°C 8days (56 mm) Wet 13h Excellent 62% Muggy Excellent View Details
August best 29°C / 17°C 30°C / 17°C 9days (52 mm) Wet 11.9h Excellent 64% Muggy Excellent View Details
September best 24°C / 13°C 23°C / 12°C 10days (72 mm) Wet 9.4h Good 70% Muggy Excellent View Details
October best 17°C / 8°C 15°C / 5°C 8days (56 mm) Wet 7.5h Good 79% Humid Good View Details
November 9°C / 3°C 7°C / 0°C 8days (51 mm) Wet 4.5h Fair 88% Very Muggy Poor View Details
December 5°C / 1°C 2°C / -3°C 8days (49 mm) Wet 3.6h Poor 88% Very Muggy Poor View Details

Temperature

36°C 30°C 24°C 18°C 12°C 6°C 0°C -6°C -12°C JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
HighLow

Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 5°C / -1°C . Feb: 9°C / 1°C . Mar: 13°C / 2°C . Apr: 17°C / 6°C . May: 21°C / 11°C . Jun: 27°C / 16°C . Jul: 29°C / 17°C . Aug: 29°C / 17°C . Sep: 24°C / 13°C . Oct: 17°C / 8°C . Nov: 9°C / 3°C . Dec: 5°C / 1°C .

Rainfall

0 mm 14 mm 28 mm 42 mm 56 mm 70 mm JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Rainfall

Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 34 mm. Feb: 31 mm. Mar: 38 mm. Apr: 47 mm. May: 60 mm. Jun: 63 mm. Jul: 56 mm. Aug: 52 mm. Sep: 72 mm. Oct: 56 mm. Nov: 51 mm. Dec: 49 mm.

Frequently Asked Questions

The population of Hungary is approximately 9.5M (2024).

The capital of Hungary is Budapest.

Hungary's GDP per capita is $23.6K (2024).

Life expectancy in Hungary is 76.72 years (2024).

Hungary covers 93,028 km² (35,918 sq mi).

Hungary has a moderate population density of 102 people per km², close to the global average of 60.

Hungary's population is shrinking at 0.3% per year — one of the few countries seeing sustained decline.

Yes — based on GDP per capita, Hungary falls in the high GDP-per-person tier at $23.6K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Hungary reports a very low intentional homicide rate of 0.7 per 100,000 people — among the safest in the world by this measure.

The official language of Hungary is Hungarian.

Hungary uses the Hungarian forint (Ft) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit Hungary are June, July, August, September, October, based on climate data for the capital.

The current population of Hungary is approximately 9.5 million people, according to recent estimates that place it 96th globally and 16th within the European region. This population size is currently experiencing a slight annual decline of -0.31%, which influences domestic demographic trends and long-term urban planning strategies. Approximately 70.5% of these inhabitants live in urban areas.

Hungary has an estimated GDP per capita of 23,554 USD, which ranks 68th globally and 6th out of 6 countries in its Central European subregion. The national economy is currently seeing an annual growth rate of 0.56%, supported by diverse industries including automotive manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. The total nominal GDP is approximately 223 billion USD.

Hungary boasts a very high internet penetration rate, with 93.8% of the population having access to the web, ranking the country 39th globally for this metric. This digital connectivity is complemented by an adult literacy rate of 98.86%, which places the nation 32nd in global literacy rankings based on the latest available data. This combination supports a robust environment for technological growth.

Yes, Hungary is a landlocked country located in Central Europe, covering a total area of 93028 km² (35918 sq mi) and sharing borders with seven neighboring nations. These neighbors include Austria, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine, making the country a central hub for transit within the European continent. Without a coastline, it relies on major river systems like the Danube.

The life expectancy at birth in Hungary is currently 76.7 years, a figure that ranks 85th globally among all nations according to the latest health data. This longevity is supported by the country's public health infrastructure and a high adult literacy rate, which ensures a well-informed population regarding health and wellness. The national fertility rate is estimated at 1.41 births per woman.

The unemployment rate in Hungary is currently 4.52%, which ranks 112th globally when comparing nations from the lowest unemployment levels to the highest. This rate reflects the current state of the labor market in a parliamentary republic that is heavily focused on industrial output and international export markets. The workforce is primarily concentrated in urban centers and manufacturing hubs.

Hungary currently holds the global population rank of 96 out of 215 countries and territories. Regionally, it is ranked 16th out of 47 countries in Europe and 3rd out of 6 nations in the Central Europe subregion. This placement reflects its status as a mid-sized European nation with a gradually contracting demographic base.

The estimated 2026 population density of Hungary is 104.1 people per km² (269.6 per sq mi), based on a total land area of 93028 km² (35918 sq mi). This places the country 101st globally for density and 24th within Europe. Population is most concentrated in the Budapest metropolitan area.

Hungary is currently experiencing a population decline, with an annual growth rate of -0.31%. Recent projections show that the population is decreasing by approximately 82 people every day due to deaths outnumbering births. This trend has been consistent for several decades, driven by low fertility rates and migration patterns across Europe.

The latest official data from 2024 records a fertility rate of 1.41 births per woman in Hungary. This rate is significantly below the replacement level of 2.1 required for a stable population. While the government has implemented various family support policies, the rate remains among the lower third of countries globally, ranking 172nd.

Recent data indicates that 70.5% of the Hungarian population lives in urban areas, ranking the country 87th globally for urbanization. Most urban residents are concentrated in the capital, Budapest, and other major regional centers like Debrecen and Szeged. This high urbanization reflects a long-term shift to industrial and service-based economies.

All Indicators

Explore Hungary's data across 50+ indicators

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