Hungary: immigration

How many foreigners live in Hungary?

252,290 foreign citizens lived in Hungary on 1 January 2026, down from 255,443 a year earlier, according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH). 144,942 were men and 107,348 women.

The figure counts people with foreign citizenship only, so it leaves out the many foreign-born residents who hold Hungarian citizenship, such as ethnic Hungarians from neighbouring countries, which KSH counts in a separate table. The foreign population has risen from 199,957 in 2020, and Europeans make up just over half.

Official sources: Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH)

How many immigrants come to Hungary each year?

47,187 foreign citizens immigrated to Hungary in 2025, according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH), down from 49,278 in 2024 and 61,347 in 2023. 24,374 came from Asian countries.

Immigrants are foreign citizens who settle in Hungary for more than a year. Arrivals from Asian countries rose from 18,526 in 2022 to 37,720 in 2023 and have fallen since. The same tables show emigration of foreign citizens, so net migration is lower than the arrivals figure.

Official sources: Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH)

How many Hungarians leave Hungary?

39,643 Hungarian citizens emigrated in 2025, and 41,786 returned or immigrated, including 31,704 Hungarian-born return migrants, according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH). Emigration was 41,294 in 2024.

Emigration fell to 19,322 in 2020 and has risen since, while Hungarian-born return migrants rose from 23,866 in 2023 to 31,704 in 2025. Emigration figures are estimates, because many people who leave do not report it, and they can be revised.

Official sources: Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH)

How many asylum seekers does Hungary receive?

113 asylum seekers arrived in Hungary in 2025, up from 29 in 2024, according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH). In 2015 the table records 177,135.

The asylum procedure is handled by the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing. UNHCR population statistics count 71,332 refugees in Hungary at the end of 2025, a figure that includes people with temporary protection, such as those who fled Ukraine, who are not counted as asylum seekers in the KSH table.

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

How many people become Hungarian citizens each year?

1,571 people were naturalised in Hungary in 2025, down from 1,742 in 2024, according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH). 1,157 of them previously held the citizenship of another European country.

The figures cover people living in Hungary when they became citizens. People abroad who acquire Hungarian citizenship by simplified naturalisation, mainly ethnic Hungarians in neighbouring countries, are not included here. In this table naturalisations peaked at 20,554 in 2011.

Official sources: Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH)

How many foreign-born people live in Hungary?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people born abroad in Hungary was 7.1% in 2024. In 2015 the figure was 4.8%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 11.7%, and Hungary placed 37th highest of 52. Worldwide: 77th of 193.

What is net migration in Hungary?

In 2025, net migration in Hungary was -16,331, according to the UN Population Division. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 40th highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 158. Worldwide: 147th of 193.

How many refugees are in Hungary?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees in the country in Hungary was 71,332 in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2,422 (2013) to 72,359 (2024). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 62,365, and Hungary placed 24th highest of 50. Worldwide: 57th of 169.

How many refugees have fled Hungary?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Hungary at 2,055 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 4,653; its low point was 2012, at 1,085. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 533, and Hungary placed 18th highest of 49. World rank, highest first: 92nd of 189.

How much money do migrants send home to Hungary?

The World Bank puts personal remittances received in Hungary at 2.3% of GDP in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.6% of GDP (2005) to 3.2% of GDP (2016). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 1.4% of GDP, and Hungary placed 17th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 59th of 127.