Real wages since 1992 (annual)
Annual change in real net earnings since 1992: how much more or less the average wage could buy than a year earlier.
- Latest
- 4.8%2025
- over one year
- −4.2 pp2024: 9.0%
- Record high
- 13.6%2002
- Record low
- −12.2%1995
- Data since
- 1992−1.4%
Real wages since 1992 (annual)
About this indicator
KSH's real net earnings index. The biggest fall was in 1995 (−12.2%), during the Bokros austerity package; the biggest rise in 2002 (+13.6%), with large public-sector pay rises. In 2023 real wages fell 3.1% because of high inflation.
The latest figure (2025) is 4.8%, under the Orbán Viktor government. The series goes back to 1992; the highest value was 13.6% (2002) and the lowest −12.2% (1995).
Source: KSH (mun0191) · Updated: 27 Oct 2026 21:41 UTC · Download data (CSV)
By government
The value when each government took office and when it left (or the latest figure), plus the average during the term.
| Government | At start | At end / now | Change | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Magyar Péter (Tisza)Magyar · 2026–in office | no data yet | – | – | – |
Orbán Viktor (Fidesz)Orbán II–V · 2010–2026 | −2.3% | 4.8% | +7.1 pp | 4.3% |
Bajnai Gordon (MSZP)Bajnai · 2009–2010 | 0.8% | −2.3% | −3.1 pp | −2.3% |
Gyurcsány Ferenc (MSZP)Gyurcsány · 2004–2009 | −1.1% | 0.8% | +1.9 pp | 1.5% |
Medgyessy Péter (MSZP)Medgyessy · 2002–2004 | 6.4% | −1.1% | −7.5 pp | 7.2% |
Orbán Viktor (Fidesz)Orbán I · 1998–2002 | 3.6% | 6.4% | +2.8 pp | 3.5% |
Horn Gyula (MSZP)Horn · 1994–1998 | 7.2% | 3.6% | −3.6 pp | −2.2% |
Boross Péter (MDF)Boross · 1993–1994 | −3.9% | 7.2% | +11.1 pp | 7.2% |
Antall József (MDF)Antall · 1990–1993 | −1.4%* | −3.9% | −2.5 pp | −2.7% |
* The series starts during this term, so the starting value is the first available observation.
Data table
| Date | Value |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 4.8% |
| 2024 | 9.0% |
| 2023 | −3.1% |
| 2022 | 3.2% |
| 2021 | 3.1% |
| 2020 | 5.7% |
| 2019 | 8.4% |
| 2018 | 8.3% |
| 2017 | 10.3% |
| 2016 | 7.4% |
| 2015 | 4.4% |
| 2014 | 3.2% |
| 2013 | 3.1% |
| 2012 | −3.4% |
| 2011 | 2.4% |
| 2010 | 1.8% |
| 2009 | −2.3% |
| 2008 | 0.8% |
| 2007 | −4.6% |
| 2006 | 3.6% |
| 2005 | 6.3% |
| 2004 | −1.1% |
| 2003 | 9.2% |
| 2002 | 13.6% |
| 2001 | 6.4% |
| 2000 | 1.5% |
| 1999 | 2.5% |
| 1998 | 3.6% |
| 1997 | 4.9% |
| 1996 | −5.0% |
| 1995 | −12.2% |
| 1994 | 7.2% |
| 1993 | −3.9% |
| 1992 | −1.4% |
Related indicators
Share of the labour force looking for work.
Share of under-25s in the labour force looking for work.
The lowest gross monthly wage for full-time work.
Average gross monthly pay of full-time employees.
How much more net pay buys than a year ago, after price rises.