How much does the state owe?
Government spending to GDP
Total general government expenditure as a share of GDP, annually since 1995, compared with the EU.
- Latest
- 47.6%2025
- over one year
- +0.4 pp2024: 47.2%
- Record high
- 55.0%1995
- Record low
- 45.8%2019
- Data since
- 199555.0%
Government spending to GDP
% of GDP
47.6%
2025
+0.4 ppover one year
HungaryEU average
Fidesz
Source: Eurostat
About this indicator
This shows what share of economic output the state spends (wages, pensions, welfare, investment, interest). In Hungary the ratio has traditionally been close to the EU average.
The latest figure (2025) is 47.6%, under the Orbán Viktor government. The series goes back to 1995; the highest value was 55.0% (1995) and the lowest 45.8% (2019).
Source: Eurostat (gov_10a_main) · 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 | 50.7% | 47.6% | −3.1 pp | 48.5% |
Bajnai Gordon (MSZP)Bajnai · 2009–2010 | 48.8% | 50.7% | +1.9 pp | 50.7% |
Gyurcsány Ferenc (MSZP)Gyurcsány · 2004–2009 | 48.8% | 48.8% | 0.0 pp | 49.9% |
Medgyessy Péter (MSZP)Medgyessy · 2002–2004 | 47.2% | 48.8% | +1.6 pp | 49.7% |
Orbán Viktor (Fidesz)Orbán I · 1998–2002 | 50.7% | 47.2% | −3.5 pp | 47.8% |
Horn Gyula (MSZP)Horn · 1994–1998 | 55.0%* | 50.7% | −4.3 pp | 51.5% |
* The series starts during this term, so the starting value is the first available observation.
Data table
| Date | Hungary | EU average |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 47.6% | 49.4% |
| 2024 | 47.2% | 48.9% |
| 2023 | 49.6% | 48.8% |
| 2022 | 49.1% | 49.1% |
| 2021 | 48.1% | 51.1% |
| 2020 | 51.0% | 52.8% |
| 2019 | 45.8% | 46.6% |
| 2018 | 45.9% | 46.6% |
| 2017 | 46.6% | 46.9% |
| 2016 | 46.7% | 47.5% |
| 2015 | 50.4% | 48.3% |
| 2014 | 50.0% | 49.3% |
| 2013 | 50.1% | 50.0% |
| 2012 | 49.2% | 50.0% |
| 2011 | 49.1% | 49.3% |
| 2010 | 48.9% | 50.7% |
| 2009 | 50.7% | 50.9% |
| 2008 | 48.8% | 47.0% |
| 2007 | 49.9% | 45.8% |
| 2006 | 51.4% | 46.6% |
| 2005 | 49.4% | 47.2% |
| 2004 | 48.8% | 47.4% |
| 2003 | 49.2% | 48.1% |
| 2002 | 51.0% | 47.8% |
| 2001 | 47.2% | 47.4% |
| 2000 | 47.3% | 47.4% |
| 1999 | 48.9% | 48.4% |
| 1998 | 50.7% | 48.8% |
| 1997 | 49.5% | 49.7% |
| 1996 | 50.9% | 51.1% |
| 1995 | 55.0% | 53.5% |