Culture

It is particularly important to present, in addition to our regular and detailed publications, the current situation of the areas most affected by the pandemic with flash estimates using a limited information base. Our WEEKLY MONITOR presents the economic and social impacts of the pandemic through daily, weekly and monthly updated preliminary data as a collection of interactive diagrams.

Covid19 related restrictions severely affected theatres’ turnover, too. Based on preliminary data in 2020, within the total of 211 active theatres – 9 less year-on-year – the number of visits dropped by 45%, that of performances by 50% compared to 2019. As the latter decreased in a greater degree the number of visits per performance increased after 2017 once again year-on-year, registering on average 243 visits per performance in 2020, while this number was 222 in 2019.

Museum turnovers, too, have been greatly affected by the pandemic related restrictions. According to preliminary data in the 672 active museums in 2020 – 28 less than a year earlier – the number of visits declined by 62%, that of exhibitions lessened by 21% compared to 2019. As a result the average number of visits per exhibition – continuously growing year after year since 2014 –broke in 2020. The number of guided museum tours dropped to one-half, that of events to one-third year-on-year.

The turnover of zoos, wildlife- and, culture parks, too, have been greatly affected by the pandemic related restrictions. According to preliminary data in the total of 15 such active institutions in 2020 – 1 more than a year earlier – 2.7 million visits have been registered, 35% less compared to 2019. As a result the number of visits per institution declined year-on-year for the first time since 2012; in 2020 there were 177 thousand visits per institution, while this number was 291 thousand in 2019.

The yearbook presents how demographic, socio-economic trends and environmental characteristics changed over time in Hungary. The main indicators are illustrated in time series or regional comparisons by charts and maps; the interactive versions of these are available on our website. Spatial disparities among counties and regions as well as international indicators are presented in separate chapters. The internet annex contains the publication in PDF format and all tables in Excel format.