Hungary Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 25, 2020

Hungary, State of Central Europe; 93,030 km², 9.8 million residents (2019).Hungary borders in the north to Slovakia, in the northeast to Ukraine, in the east to Romania, in the south to Serbia and Croatia, in the southwest to Slovenia and in the west to Austria. The capital is Budapest (1.6 million residents, 2012).

Country facts

Magyar Kőztársaság / Republic of Hungary
Country abbreviation: HU
Area: 93 030 km²
Population (2019): 9.8 million residents
Capital: Budapest
Main language: Hungarian
State: Republic
Head of State: János Áder (President)
Head of Government: Viktor Orbán
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 15,939
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 14,590
Coin unit: 1 forint = 100 fillers
Currency code: HUF
Country number (telephony): 36
Internet Domain Name: hu
Time difference compared to Sweden: 0
National Day: March 15 (in memory of the 1848 Revolution)

Nature

Land use: forest (22%), agricultural land (64%), other (14%)
Highest mountain: Kékes (1,015 m above sea level)
Longest river: Danube (2,860 km)

Population

Population density (2019): 107 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): −0.4%; birth number 9 ‰, death number 13 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (15%), 15-64 (66%), 65- (19%)
Life expectancy (2019): men 72 years, women 79 years
Infant mortality (2019): 3 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 9 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.838 (place 45 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 71%
Most populous cities (2017): Budapest (1.8 million residents), Debrecen (202,000), Miskolc (157,200)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (4%), industry (31%), service (65%)
Exports (2017): US $ 98,740 million
Main export products: machinery, food, raw materials for industry
Main exporting countries: Germany, Romania, Italy
Imports (2017): US $ 96,300 million
Main import products: engineering industrial products, fuel, electricity
Main importing countries: Germany, Austria, China
Railway network (2014): 8,000 km

Characteristic of Hungary’s landforms are mainly extensive lowland areas. Alföld, the great plain of south-eastern Hungary, is often called the breath and occupies half of the country’s surface. Hungary is surrounded by alpine mountain ranges. The Danube, Europe’s second largest river, flows through the country. The shallow Balaton lake in western Hungary is the largest lake in central Europe. The country has a temperate climate with a strong continental feel.

The legislative power lies with a single-chamber parliament whose members are appointed through general elections for four years. The executive rests with the president, who is appointed by Parliament for five years.

Following the fall of communism, privatization began, which was largely done in collaboration with Western European and American companies. Although many companies in the West have been willing to invest, privatization has been slower than planned. In 2003, the rate of privatization increased; the state sold some or all of the state banks and the Dunaferr steel mill. Since the 1990s, the emphasis in business has gradually shifted from industry to the service sector, and in 2011 the service industries accounted for just over two-thirds of GDP.