Hungarian families were able to move forward even in the age of crises
The living conditions of the majority of Hungarians improved even during the challenging years of recent times – according to the latest survey by the Mária Kopp Institute for Demogrpahy and Families (KINCS). Incomes increased significantly, the standard of living improved, and Hungarians’ satisfaction with their lives also increased.
Seventy-one percent of respondents reported positive changes in their family’s life, and the same proportion experienced development in their place of residence.
Despite a period marked by Covid-19, war, the energy crisis and economic difficulties affecting the whole of Europe, most Hungarians reported positive changes in their own lives in recent years and progress in their families’ circumstances as well. According to the KINCS survey, 7 out of 10 respondents stated that their family had been able to move forward over the past decade, for example by moving to a new home, renovating their home or purchasing a new car. This proportion was particularly high among families raising children, who have been the main beneficiaries of family policy measures in recent years. This is also supported by data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (HCSO): according to the survey “What do we live on?”, the average wealth of a household increased to HUF 61.6 million by 2023, while the wealth of families raising children was even higher, averaging HUF 66.6 million.
Income trends also showed steady growth over the past decade. According to HCSO data, between 2015 and 2024, per capita income within families increased by two and a half times, and the increase was even greater in large families and single-parent families. In the KINCS survey, the majority of respondents reported an increase in their income, with parents raising minor children and large families reporting above-average growth.
In Hungary, the standard of living did not decline even in the age of crises, which is clearly reflected in the fact that 4 out of 5 people reported that they live better or at least as well as they did ten years ago. According to HCSO data, satisfaction with households’ financial situation increased from 5.3 to 5.9, while overall life satisfaction rose from 6.1 to 7.5 between 2015 and 2025. The greatest improvement was observed among young people and married people, which shows that the well-being of families strengthened widely between 2015 and 2025.
The development of recent years is visible not only in the everyday lives of families, but also at the level of settlements. According to the KINCS survey, nearly three-quarters of respondents (72%) reported development in their place of residence. The development of settlements and the improving situation of people living there is also reflected in the strengthening fiscal capacity of municipalities between 2015 and 2024. Revenues from the local business tax increased by 2.4 times, while per taxpayer personal income tax base increased by 2.7 times.
Overall, Hungarians live in better income and wealth conditions than a decade earlier, as confirmed both by statistical data and survey results. Alongside the strengthening financial situation of families, settlements have also developed, and in parallel the standard of living has improved and satisfaction with life has increased.
The situation of Hungarian families has strengthened significantly even in the age of crises and amid multiple challenges, which would not have been possible without substantial government support for families.
