Living conditions

Hungary’s GDP increased by 0.5% amid global challenges in 2024. The performance of goods-producing industries lessened, while that of service-providing ones rose, which shows the duality of economic trends. Household consumption picked up, which was considerably encouraged by the purchasing power of earnings growing again with the inflationary wave calming down. Besides, the data series reveal that the level of employment reached another peak.

Based on international trends, the popularity of purchases on the internet rapidly increases in Hungary as well, more and more people recognise its advantages and take advantage of this. 56% of households placed an order on-line in the 4th quarter of 2024, and they spent an average 84.7 thousand forints in making purchases on the internet. E-buyers most often purchased articles of clothing and shoes (64%), which was followed by electrical goods (48%), the administration of overheads payments, and of various finances (42%), as well as the order of household equipment (31%).

Easter is the most important celebration in Christianity, a symbol of rebirth and hope. Easter traditions include egg painting, water sprinkling and family gatherings with typical dishes such as ham and kolach (traditional sweet bread). The celebration has not only religious but also cultural significance, intertwined with the spirit of spring renewal.

At the initiative of the UN, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been celebrated every year on December 3 since 1992. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that today 16% of the world's population, or 1.3 billion people, live with a significant disability. Their number is increasing, which is linked to the higher prevalence of non-communicable diseases and people’s longer life expectancy. In Hungary, more than one fifth of the population aged 16 and over lived with some level of disability in 2023, which is lower than the EU average.

The HCSO conducted, for the first time, an experimental survey in 2023 on environmental habits of households. The questionnaire aimed to learn about households’ approach to environmental issues. The problems posing the most serious threat deemed to be the growing amounts of waste and the low rate of public transport use. Composting is widespread in municipalities and other towns, not so much in towns of county rank and Budapest. 41% of households purchased environmentally friendly products on a regular basis in 2023, families with children are more willing to buy environmentally friendly products.