Labour Market Information: Hungary

National level - Hungary

^{* The years referenced in this report vary, as the data is based on the most up-to-date information available for each indicator, as of March 2026.}

Labour market

As of 1 January 2025, about 9.5 million people lived in Hungary. The gross domestic product per inhabitant was EUR 21 500 in 2024, 46.1% lower than the average of EUR 39 900 per inhabitant in the EU27. Between 2018 and 2024, the GDP per capita increased by 52%.

^{Note: nama_10r_2gdp, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu)}

The employment rate was 81.1%, 5.3 percentage points higher than the EU27 average and 6.6 percentage points higher compared to 2018. In NA, for women, the employment rate was 77.1%, for men, the employment rate was 85%, and for youth, the employment rate was 27.2%, with men and women having rates higher than the EU average and with only youth having a rate lower than the EU average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, data refer to working age population (15-64), youth age group (15-24)  Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu)}

In 2024, the unemployment rate was nearly matching the level registered in 2023. In 2024, the unemployment rate returned to the level before the pandemic, when it equaled 3.6% in 2018, and 3.3% in 2019. In 2024, it was 1.4 percentage points lower in Hungary than in the EU27.

In 2024, 96.6% of the active workforce were from Hungary, 2.1% from other EU Member States and 1.3 from third countries. In the EU27, as of 2024, the highest proportion of the workforce comes from the respective country (84.4% on average), while on average a smaller portion is from foreign countries (4.3% from other EU Member States, and 11.3% from third countries).

In 2024, most employees worked in manufacturing (23.7%), followed by wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (18.8%), construction (9.8%) and professional, scientific and technical activities (9.5%). In terms of number of enterprises, most can be found in professional, scientific and technical activities (18.4%), wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (17.1%), and construction (14.6%).

In Hungary, the highest proportion of employees (39%) worked in micro companies with up to 9 employees. These companies accounted for the majority of all enterprises in the country (95.8%) with 863 768 of such businesses. 28.8% of persons employed worked in large companies with more than 250 employees, 14.3% of persons employed worked in medium companies with 50 to 249 employees, 9.6% of persons employed worked in small companies with 20 to 49 employees and 8.3% of persons employed worked in small companies with 10 to 19 employees.

Transnational labour markets and mobility

In 2025, there were approximately 64 000 EU movers of working age residing in Hungary, comprising 1.1% of the working-age population, below the EU-27 average and noting an increase of 2.9% compared to 2024. They show a predominantly male gender distribution (56% male, 44% female) and are predominantly young (38% aged 20–34). This composition differs from the EU average, where the population of movers shows gender balanced and is predominantly aged 35–49.

Hungary has consistently attracted more EU movers than it has lost across the 2019–2025 period, with a net balance of 1 828 in 2025. In 2024, outflows of EU movers remained relatively stable compared to the previous year, while inflows significantly increased by 27%.

Third-country nationals numbered 138 000 in 2025, representing 2.4% of the working-age population and showing growth of 0.8% from 2024. Combined, EU movers and third-country nationals comprise approximately 3.5% of Hungary’s total working-age population.

Vacancies

In 2024, in Hungary, the occupational groups with the highest occurrence of shortage occupations were: Building and Related Trades Workers (excluding Electricians), Personal Service Workers and Labourers in Mining, Construction, Manufacturing and Transport. On the other hand, the occupational groups with the highest occurrence of surplus occupations were: Food Processing, Woodworking, Garment and Other Craft and Related Trades Workers, Building and Related Trades Workers (excluding Electricians) and Personal Service Workers.

Read more about labour shortages and surpluses in Europe: Labour shortages and surpluses in Europe | European Labour Authority (europa.eu)

Job vacancy rate

Regarding the job vacancy rate (defined as the number of job vacancies expressed as a percentage of the total sum of occupied posts and job vacancies), in 2025 this was 2.1 % in the industry, construction and services, nearly matching the EU27 average. This rate is equal to 2024 and it is still above the situation before 2020, when it stood only at 2.5%

^{Note: jvs_a_rate_r2, Statistics | Eurostat}

The sectors with the highest vacancy rates were human health and social work activities; education; arts, entertainment and recreation; public administration and defence; compulsory social security; administrative and support services.

^{Note: jvs_a_rate_r2, Statistics | Eurostat}

Widely used job portals

Wages

Minimum wage

As of 1 January 2026, the statutory minimum wage in Hungary was set at 838 EUR. Collective bargaining in Hungary is at 20.4%.

Monthly average gross and net earnings

In 2024, the gross average earnings of a single person stood at EUR 1740, while the EU27 average was EUR 3 603. The equivalent net wage was EUR 1 157 in Hungary, compared to EUR 2474 in the EU27. Compared to 2019, gross average earnings increased by 47.8% in Hungary and by 22.8% in the EU27. During the same period, the net wages have increased by 47.8% in Hungary and by 24.5% in the EU27.

^{Note: earn_nt_net, Single person earning 100% average, annual rates transformed into 12 monthly payments. Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu)}

Trends

Go directly to Expected growing or declining sectors | Platform work | Remote work | Unemployment

Expected growing or declining sectors

Expected growing sectors are renewable energy, car manufacturing industry, pharmaceutical industry and chemical industry, IT and new technology, tourism and HORECA sector, transport and logistics, while traditional agriculture, metallurgy and metal industry expected to face declining.

Platform work

Permanent changes can be noticed in the case of remote working even after the pandemic. Share of remote-workers more than doubled and it remained persistently on high level in the past 3 years. Presently 7.5% of persons employed, nearly 350 000 employees work in remote. A hybrid system is likely to emerge in the future, with some combination of remote working and workplace participation in an increasing number of workplaces where this is possible.

Remote work

The incidence of remote work has been gradually increasing in Hungary between 2019 and 2024, from 1.2% to 4%. Similarly, the share of remote work as measured by ‘sometimes’ has increased from 3.4% to 5%. The increase in the incidence of remote work was exceptionally high during the pandemic.

^{Note: lfsa_ehomp, Product - Datasets - Eurostat}

Unemployment (e.g. long-term, youth, female, structural or low-skilled)

Hungary has one of the most dynamic employment growth rates in Europe on the long run. Change in the employment level of the population aged 20-64 between 2010 and 2024 was more than 20%. As a result, of a successful employment turnaround Hungary is now close to the full employment status. The economically active working-age labour force has grown by half a million since 2010. Never before has the Hungarian labour market seen so many people who wanted to work and were actively looking for a job. The employment rate reached its top, the employment rate of the population aged 20-64 is well above the EU average, at over 80%. Hungary belongs to the top field of EU for years in the viewpoint of unemployment.

Budapest

With 1 685 209 inhabitants, Budapest represented about 17.7% of the population in Hungary in 2025.

The gross domestic product per capita, adjusted for price levels (PPS) in Budapest was 117.3% of the EU27 average, well above the national average of 53.8%.

In 2024, more than 867 700 people were active in the labour market in Budapest. 60.7% had tertiary education, 36.3% had secondary education, and 3% had primary education. The employment rate in Budapest was 85.3 % in 2024, 4.2 percentage point higher than the national average in Hungary and in line with 2023 figures.

The employment rate for women in 2024 was 84.1%, men had an employment rate of 86.4%, and for the youth the employment rate was 23.7%. The employment rates for women and men were above the national average, while the employment rate for the youth was below the national average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu), data refer to age group 15 years or over}

The unemployment rate in Budapest was 2.4% in 2024, 1.9 points lower than the national average in the same year and in line with the previous year.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfu3rt, Statistics | Eurostat, data refer to age group 15 years or over}

Pest

With 1 336 134 inhabitants, Pest represented about 14% of the population in Hungary in 2025.

The gross domestic product per capita, adjusted for price levels (PPS) in Pest was 46.2% of the EU27 average, below the national average of 53.8%.

In 2024, more than 650 800 people were active in the labour market in Pest. 36% had tertiary education, 57.7% had secondary education, and 6.3% had primary education. The employment rate in Pest was 83.8 % in 2024, 2.7 percentage points higher than the national average in Hungary and in line with 2023 figures.

The employment rate for women in 2024 was 79.7%, men had an employment rate of 87.9%, and for the youth the employment rate was 24.1%. The employment rates for women and men were above the national average, while the employment rate for the youth was below the national average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu), data refer to age group 15 years or over}

The unemployment rate in Pest was 2.9% in 2024, 1.4 points lower than the national average in the same year and in line with the previous year.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfu3rt, Statistics | Eurostat, data refer to age group 15 years or over}

Central Transdanubia (Közép-Dunántúl)

With 1 051 169 inhabitants, Central Transdanubia represented about 11% of the population in Hungary in 2025.

The gross domestic product per capita, adjusted for price levels (PPS) in Central Transdanubia was 47.2% of the EU27 average, below the national average of 53.8%.

In 2024, more than 502 800 people were active in the labour market in Central Transdanubia. 25% had tertiary education, 65.1% had secondary education, and 10% had primary education. The employment rate in Central Transdanubia was 84.4 % in 2024, 3.3 percentage points higher than the national average in Hungary and in line with 2023 figures.

The employment rate for women in 2024 was 79.8%, men had an employment rate of 88.8%, and for the youth the employment rate was 31.5%, all above the national average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu), data refer to age group 15 years or over}

The unemployment rate in Central Transdanubia was 2.6% in 2024, 1.7 points lower than the national average in the same year and in line with the previous year.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfu3rt, Statistics | Eurostat, data refer to age group 15 years or over}

West Transdanubia (Nyugat-Dunántúl)

With 974 617 inhabitants, West Transdanubia represented about 10.2% of the population in Hungary in 2025.

The gross domestic product per capita, adjusted for price levels (PPS) in West Transdanubia was 47.8% of the EU27 average, below the national average of 53.8%.

In 2024, more than 466 100 people were active in the labour market in West Transdanubia. 25.9% had tertiary education, 65.9% had secondary education, and 8.2% had primary education. The employment rate in West Transdanubia was 83.5 % in 2024, 2.4 percentage points higher than the national average in Hungary and in line with 2023 figures.

The employment rate for women in 2024 was 79.4%, men had an employment rate of 87.6%, and for the youth the employment rate was 28.7%, all above the national average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu), data refer to age group 15 years or over}

The unemployment rate in West Transdanubia was 3.1% in 2024, 1.2 points lower than the national average in the same year and in line with the previous year.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfu3rt, Statistics | Eurostat, data refer to age group 15 years or over}

South Transdanubia (Dél-Dunántúl)

With 845 970 inhabitants, South Transdanubia represented about 8.9% of the population in Hungary in 2025.

The gross domestic product per capita, adjusted for price levels (PPS) in South Transdanubia was 35.4% of the EU27 average, well below the national average of 53.8%.

In 2024, more than 364 500 people were active in the labour market in South Transdanubia. 24.1% had tertiary education, 62.3% had secondary education, and 13.6% had primary education. The employment rate in South Transdanubia was 74.7 % in 2024, 6.4 percentage points lower than the national average in Hungary and in line with 2023 figures.

The employment rate for women in 2024 was 70.9%, men had an employment rate of 78.5%, and for the youth the employment rate was 26.2%, all below the national average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu), data refer to age group 15 years or over}

The unemployment rate in South Transdanubia was 6.8% in 2024, 2.5 points higher than the national average in the same year and in line with the previous year.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfu3rt, Statistics | Eurostat, data refer to age group 15 years or over}

Northern Hungary (Észak-Magyarország)

With 1 072 232 inhabitants, Northern Hungary represented about 11.2% of the population in Hungary in 2025.

The gross domestic product per capita, adjusted for price levels (PPS) in Northern Hungary was 34.1% of the EU27 average, well below the national average of 53.8%.

In 2024, more than 462 400 people were active in the labour market in Northern Hungary. 23.4% had tertiary education, 60.7% had secondary education, and 15.8% had primary education. The employment rate in Northern Hungary was 75.6 % in 2024, 5.5 percentage points lower than the national average in Hungary and in line with 2023 figures.

The employment rate for women in 2024 was 69.5%, men had an employment rate of 81.4%, and for the youth the employment rate was 31.2%. The employment rates for women and men were below the national average, while the employment rate for the youth was above the national average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu), data refer to age group 15 years or over}

The unemployment rate in Northern Hungary was 6.6% in 2024, 2.3 points higher than the national average in the same year and in line with the previous year.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfu3rt, Statistics | Eurostat, data refer to age group 15 years or over}

North Great Plain (Észak-Alföld)

With 1 390 406 inhabitants, North Great Plain represented about 14.6% of the population in Hungary in 2025.

The gross domestic product per capita, adjusted for price levels (PPS) in North Great Plain was 35.2% of the EU27 average, well below the national average of 53.8%.

In 2024, more than 627 200 people were active in the labour market in North Great Plain. 23.7% had tertiary education, 61.3% had secondary education, and 15% had primary education. The employment rate in North Great Plain was 77.7 % in 2024, 3.4 percentage points lower than the national average in Hungary and in line with 2023 figures.

The employment rate for women in 2024 was 71.5%, men had an employment rate of 83.8%, and for the youth the employment rate was 28.5%. The employment rates for women and men were below the national average, while the employment rate for the youth was above the national average.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfe2emprt, Statistics | Eurostat (europa.eu), data refer to age group 15 years or over}

The unemployment rate in North Great Plain was 6.9% in 2024, 2.6 points higher than the national average in the same year and in line with the previous year.

^{Note: lfst_r_lfu3rt, Statistics | Eurostat, data refer to age group 15 years or over}