Hungary: crime and justice

What is the crime rate in Hungary?

186,837 crimes were registered in Hungary in 2025, down from 233,470 in 2024, according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH), which uses the unified criminal statistics of the investigating authorities and prosecution.

Totals can swing from year to year when large cases with many counts are closed, so changes need care. Crimes are counted when an investigation is completed, not when they happen. Battery cases were 6,066 in 2025, and road accident cases 10,189. KSH also publishes quarterly figures and figures by county.

Official sources: Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH)

How many murders are there in Hungary?

77 homicides were registered in Hungary in 2025, compared with 67 in 2024 and 70 in 2023, according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH). There were also 95 attempted homicides.

With a population of 9,488,428 on 1 January 2026, according to the KSH population table, 77 homicides is roughly 0.8 per 100,000 people. In 2009 the table records 140 homicides. Registered crimes are counted when the investigation is concluded, so a year's total can include crimes committed earlier.

Official sources: Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) · KSH population table

How many people are in prison in Hungary?

19,824 people were held in Hungarian prisons in 2025, up from 18,464 in 2024, according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH). 13,986 were serving sentences and 4,858 were in pre-trial detention.

1,778 of the inmates were women. The prison population was 12,241 in 1990. With 9.49 million people, the 2025 figure is roughly 210 prisoners per 100,000 inhabitants. The Hungarian Prison Service runs the prisons and publishes its own statistics.

Official sources: Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH)

What is the murder rate in Hungary?

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime puts the intentional homicide rate in Hungary at 0.7 per 100,000 in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 2.2 per 100,000; its low point was 2019, at 0.7 per 100,000. Europe & Central Asia median: 1.0 per 100,000; Hungary is 28th highest of 35. World rank, highest first: 67th of 79.

How many women are killed in Hungary?

The latest figure from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, for 2023, is 0.6 per 100,000. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 2.0 per 100,000; its low point was 2021, at 0.5 per 100,000. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 0.7 per 100,000, and Hungary placed 23rd highest of 36. Of 78 countries with 2023 data, 58th highest.

How many men are killed in Hungary?

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the homicide rate for men in Hungary was 0.8 per 100,000 in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.7 per 100,000 (2019) to 2.6 per 100,000 (2016). It is 31st highest of 36 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 1.3 per 100,000. World rank, highest first: 68th of 78.