Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Demographics of Hungary - statistics & facts
Hungary’s population has been decreasing over the past three decades, totaling 9.54 million people in January 2025. Factors such as low fertility rates and emigration have contributed to the population decline. Although Hungary’s fertility rate had increased considerably since 2010, it dropped in 2024 to 1.38 live birth per woman, well below the 2.1 rate needed for sustaining the country’s population.
When it comes to same-sex marriage, the Hungarian government and the majority of the population share conventional beliefs. In 2010, the government passed a new constitution that banned same-sex marriages, leaving registered partnerships as the only alternative. Consequently, the number of registered partnerships has increased in the country, but remained relatively low, totaling 180 partnerships in 2024.
Hungary’s strict asylum policy detained large numbers of first-time asylum applicants which resulted in an increase in illegal immigration over the past decade. The number of third-country nationals found to be illegally present in Hungary peaked in 2015 at nearly 12,000 individuals. However, by 2024, this number decreased to 5,700 due to increased security measures and police presence at the country’s southern borders.
The population of Hungary has been declining for the past decades due to low birth rates and emigration. Citizens value the traditional family model, with most of them being married. Moreover, the country has a homogeneous society, with foreigners accounting only for a marginal share of the population.
The traditional family model
Most Hungarians value a traditional family model—approximately 43 percent were married, 12 percent were divorced, and a further 10 percent were widowed as of January 1, 2025. During the 2010s, more and more people decided to get married, with the number of marriages peaking in 2021 at 72,000. However, the following years were characterized by a decreasing trend, with 2024 recording less than 47,000 marriages, a 35 percent decrease from the peak year.When it comes to same-sex marriage, the Hungarian government and the majority of the population share conventional beliefs. In 2010, the government passed a new constitution that banned same-sex marriages, leaving registered partnerships as the only alternative. Consequently, the number of registered partnerships has increased in the country, but remained relatively low, totaling 180 partnerships in 2024.
A homogenous society and immigration
The Hungarian society is rather homogenous as in 2024, the share of foreign citizens in the whole population totaled just below three percent. The number of immigrants arriving in Hungary has followed a growing trend over the past years, peaking at over 96,000 persons in 2023. Most foreign citizens chose Budapest as their place of residence, with Nógrád county accommodating the lowest number of internationals.Hungary’s strict asylum policy detained large numbers of first-time asylum applicants which resulted in an increase in illegal immigration over the past decade. The number of third-country nationals found to be illegally present in Hungary peaked in 2015 at nearly 12,000 individuals. However, by 2024, this number decreased to 5,700 due to increased security measures and police presence at the country’s southern borders.
The population of Hungary has been declining for the past decades due to low birth rates and emigration. Citizens value the traditional family model, with most of them being married. Moreover, the country has a homogeneous society, with foreigners accounting only for a marginal share of the population.
