Hungary Economy 2026: GDP, Growth Rate & World Ranking

Hungary has the 54th-largest nominal GDP of the 189 economies SOTW covers for 2026: $265.91 billion (IMF projection). It sits just behind New Zealand ($273.39 billion) and ahead of Iraq ($245.23 billion). The IMF projects real GDP growth of 1.9% and inflation of 1.9% for 2026. Hungary's population was 9.5 million in 2025.

Nominal GDP: $265.91B; Reference year 2026 (IMF projection); current US dollars; International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook); Series and history →; Unrounded value
265911000000 current US dollars
Real GDP growth: 1.9%; Reference year 2026 (IMF projection); annual percent change in real GDP; International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook); Series and history →; Unrounded value
1.9 annual percent change in real GDP
Inflation (annual-average CPI): 1.9%; Reference year 2026 (IMF projection); annual percent change in average consumer prices; International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook); Series and history →; Unrounded value
1.9 annual percent change in average consumer prices
Unemployment: 4.5%; Reference year 2026 (IMF projection); percent of labor force; International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook); Series and history →; Unrounded value
4.5 percent of labor force
GDP per person: $27,884; Reference year 2026 (IMF projection); current US dollars per person; International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook); Series and history →; Unrounded value
27884.023 current US dollars per person
Population: 9.5M; Reference year 2025; people; World Bank (World Development Indicators); Series and history →; Unrounded value
9514251 people
General government gross debt: 78.7%; Reference year 2026 (IMF projection); percent of GDP; International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook); Series and history →; Unrounded value
78.7 percent of GDP
Life expectancy at birth: 76.7 years; Reference year 2024; years; World Bank (World Development Indicators); Series and history →; Unrounded value
76.7243902439025 years

IMF projection: a forecast from the IMF World Economic Outlook, revised at each release, not a measured value.

About these figures

Each figure keeps its own year, unit and source, shown on its card. Missing values are not zero: a card that says Not reported has no figure for this economy.

IMF figures for the current year and later are projections from the World Economic Outlook and change with each edition. Earlier IMF years can still be estimates. Some economies report on a fiscal year rather than a calendar year, and the source data do not record each country-specific fiscal-year mapping, so the same year label may not cover the same twelve months everywhere.

The GDP rank compares economies with a positive IMF figure for the same year; older figures and regional aggregates are not ranked. Nominal GDP is in US dollars at market exchange rates. GDP per person is output per person, not a typical income. General government gross debt covers every level of government, so it is broader than central-government debt.

Population follows the World Bank's midyear-estimate definition. Open a card's Unrounded value for the full figure, or its series link for the history.

Hungary Economic Overview

Hungary has positioned itself as Central Europe's manufacturing hub through aggressive foreign investment incentives, competitive labor costs, and a strategic location in the heart of the EU. The country has become Europe's largest electric vehicle battery manufacturing center, with Chinese giant CATL, South Korean firms Samsung SDI and SK Innovation, and others building massive battery plants. Traditional automotive (Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Suzuki) accounts for roughly 30% of manufacturing output.

Hungary's economic model under Prime Minister Orbán combines low flat taxes (15% personal, 9% corporate — the EU's lowest), generous investment subsidies for foreign manufacturers, and an increasingly state-directed economic approach. This has attracted record FDI but also created political tensions with Brussels over rule of law, media freedom, and the use of EU funds. Hungary has experienced higher inflation than EU peers (peaking at 25%+ in 2023).

GDP per capita at $27,884 in 2026 (IMF projection) has been converging toward Western European levels but remains well below the EU average. The forint has been volatile. Beyond manufacturing, Hungary has strengths in pharmaceuticals (Richter Gedeon), IT services, and agriculture (a major grain and wine producer). Challenges include demographic decline, brain drain to Western Europe, and over-dependence on German automotive demand.

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Questions about Hungary's figures

What is Hungary's nominal GDP for 2026?

Hungary's nominal GDP is $265.91B (current US dollars; reference year 2026, an IMF projection). Source: International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook). Rank 54 among 189 covered IMF economies for reference year 2026.

What is Hungary's real GDP growth for 2026?

Hungary's real GDP growth is 1.9% (annual percent change in real GDP; reference year 2026, an IMF projection). Source: International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook).

What is Hungary's population for 2025?

Hungary's population is 9.5M (people; reference year 2025). Source: World Bank (World Development Indicators). The World Bank definition describes midyear population estimates.

What is Hungary's life expectancy at birth for 2024?

Hungary's life expectancy at birth is 76.7 years (years; reference year 2024). Source: World Bank (World Development Indicators).