Unemployment rate
Share of the labour force looking for work. Hungary's unemployment rate, monthly and seasonally adjusted, since 1996, compared with the EU.
- Latest
- 4.7%August 2026
- over one year
- +0.4 ppAugust 2025: 4.3%
- Record high
- 11.4%January 2013
- Record low
- 3.0%December 2019
- Data since
- 199610.3%
Unemployment rate
What has changed since the change of government?
The latest figure compared with the value when the new government took office – and, for comparison, how the indicator moved over the same length of time before the change. This is a short period: the indicators are also strongly driven by the world economy, earlier decisions and seasonal effects, so changes cannot be attributed to the new government alone.
About this indicator
The unemployment rate is the share of unemployed people aged 15–74 in the labour force (ILO definition). It rose above 11% after the 2008 crisis, then fell below 4% in the 2010s – partly due to the public works programme.
The latest figure (August 2026) is 4.7%, under the Magyar Péter government. The series goes back to 1996; the highest value was 11.4% (January 2013) and the lowest 3.0% (December 2019).
Source: Eurostat (une_rt_m) · 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 | 4.6% | 4.7% | +0.1 pp | 4.5% |
Orbán Viktor (Fidesz)Orbán II–V · 2010–2026 | 10.9% | 4.6% | −6.3 pp | 5.9% |
Bajnai Gordon (MSZP)Bajnai · 2009–2010 | 9.3% | 10.9% | +1.6 pp | 10.3% |
Gyurcsány Ferenc (MSZP)Gyurcsány · 2004–2009 | 6.2% | 9.3% | +3.1 pp | 7.5% |
Medgyessy Péter (MSZP)Medgyessy · 2002–2004 | 5.5% | 6.2% | +0.7 pp | 5.8% |
Orbán Viktor (Fidesz)Orbán I · 1998–2002 | 8.8% | 5.5% | −3.3 pp | 6.4% |
Horn Gyula (MSZP)Horn · 1994–1998 | 10.3%* | 8.8% | −1.5 pp | 9.4% |
* The series starts during this term, so the starting value is the first available observation.
Data table · Year-end values
| Date | Hungary | EU average |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 4.7% | 6.1% |
| December 2025 | 4.5% | 6.0% |
| December 2024 | 4.4% | 5.9% |
| December 2023 | 4.4% | 6.1% |
| December 2022 | 3.9% | 6.2% |
| December 2021 | 3.9% | 6.5% |
| December 2020 | 4.3% | 7.5% |
| December 2019 | 3.0% | 6.7% |
| December 2018 | 3.4% | 7.1% |
| December 2017 | 3.6% | 7.9% |
| December 2016 | 4.2% | 8.9% |
| December 2015 | 5.9% | 9.8% |
| December 2014 | 7.2% | 10.7% |
| December 2013 | 8.3% | 11.4% |
| December 2012 | 10.8% | 11.5% |
| December 2011 | 10.9% | 10.5% |
| December 2010 | 10.9% | 10.0% |
| December 2009 | 10.4% | 9.9% |
| December 2008 | 8.4% | 7.9% |
| December 2007 | 8.0% | 7.3% |
| December 2006 | 7.4% | 8.2% |
| December 2005 | 7.4% | 9.4% |
| December 2004 | 6.5% | 9.9% |
| December 2003 | 5.7% | 10.0% |
| December 2002 | 5.7% | 9.8% |
| December 2001 | 5.5% | 9.5% |
| December 2000 | 5.8% | 9.3% |
| December 1999 | 6.6% | – |
| December 1998 | 7.8% | – |
| December 1997 | 9.1% | – |
| December 1996 | 9.4% | – |
Related indicators
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.