Hungary: public finances

What is Hungary's budget deficit?

Hungary's general government deficit was 4.7% of GDP in 2025, down from 5.1% in 2024 and 7.0% in 2023, according to Eurostat figures notified by Hungary. In the first half of 2026 the deficit was 6.2% of GDP, according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH).

Half-year deficits are usually higher than the full-year ratio, because spending is uneven across the year, so the first-half figure is not a forecast for 2026. The figures follow EU national accounts rules (ESA 2010) and differ from the cash-based central budget balance reported monthly by the Ministry of Finance.

Official sources: Eurostat · Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH)

What is Hungary's national debt?

Hungary's general government gross debt was 74.6% of GDP at the end of 2025, up from 73.5% in 2024, according to Eurostat figures notified by Hungary under the EU excessive deficit procedure.

The figure is the Maastricht debt measure, which counts general government debt at face value, including local governments, and nets out debt held between government bodies. The Government Debt Management Agency (ÁKK) publishes central government debt each month, which is a narrower measure. A share of the debt is in foreign currency, so its value in forints changes with the exchange rate.

Official sources: Eurostat

How much does the Hungarian government spend on interest?

Hungary's general government paid HUF 3,306.6 billion in interest in 2025, according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH), about 3.8% of GDP of HUF 87,307.6 billion. In the first half of 2026 interest payments were HUF 1,753.5 billion.

Interest is the cost of servicing government debt, so it rises with both the stock of debt and interest rates. In the same table, social benefits other than in kind were HUF 9,397.5 billion in 2025 and pay for public employees HUF 9,340.9 billion. The figures are on a national accounts basis.

Official sources: Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH)

What is Hungary's government debt?

74.6% of GDP: that is general government gross debt in Hungary for 2025, according to the IMF. The peak was 80.5% of GDP in 2011 and the low 60.6% of GDP in 2005. It is 11th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 46.9% of GDP. Worldwide: 49th of 185.

What is Hungary's fiscal deficit?

The IMF puts general government net lending or borrowing in Hungary at -4.7% of GDP in 2025 (a deficit). Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at -1.8% of GDP; its low point was 2006, at -9.3% of GDP. It is 45th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is -2.4% of GDP. Of 188 countries with 2025 data, 141st highest.

How much does Hungary's government take in?

42.6% of GDP: that is general government revenue in Hungary for 2025, according to the IMF. The peak was 48.4% of GDP in 2015 and the low 41.0% of GDP in 2021. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 41.3% of GDP, and Hungary placed 23rd highest of 50. Of 187 countries with 2025 data, 35th highest.

How big is Hungary's government spending as a share of GDP?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 47.3% of GDP. The peak was 51.4% of GDP in 2006 and the low 45.8% of GDP in 2019. It is 16th highest of 50 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 43.3% of GDP. Worldwide: 28th of 186.

What is tax revenue in Hungary?

According to the IMF, central government tax revenue in Hungary was 22.7% of GDP in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 19.8% of GDP (2006) to 23.4% of GDP (2022). It is 15th highest of 42 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 20.8% of GDP. Of 92 countries with 2024 data, 23rd highest.

How much does Hungary spend on its military?

The latest figure from SIPRI, for 2025, is 2.0% of GDP. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.9% of GDP (2014) to 2.1% of GDP (2024). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 2.0% of GDP, and Hungary placed 22nd highest of 46. Worldwide: 54th of 149.