Published on: 21 February 2019

Average gross earnings amounted to HUF 329,900

In December 2018, average gross earnings amounted to HUF 360,000, 10.2% higher than a year earlier. In January–December 2018, average gross earnings amounted to HUF 329,900 and average net earnings to HUF 219,400, both of them grew to the same extent, by 11.3% compared to the same period of the previous year. An upsurge in labour demand, rises of 8% in the minimum wage and 12% in the guaranteed minimum wage as well as salary adjustments affecting specific areas of the public sector and the employees of some state owned public service companies had an impact on earnings growth.

In December 2018:

Full-time employees’ average gross nominal earnings – as defined by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office – at corporations employing at least 5 persons, budgetary and designated non-profit institutions amounted to HUF 360,000 and to HUF 371,700 excluding fostered workers.

Average net earnings were HUF 239,400 excluding family tax benefits and HUF 247,900 including them.

Both gross earnings and net earnings grew by 10.2% compared to the same period of the previous year.

In January–December 2018:

Full-time employees’ average gross nominal earnings – as defined by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office – at corporations employing at least 5 persons, budgetary and designated non-profit institutions amounted to HUF 329,900 and to HUF 341,600 excluding fostered workers.

Average gross earnings were the highest in financial and insurance activities (HUF 608,200) and the lowest (HUF 212,000) in accommodation and food service activities.

Regular gross earnings (gross earnings without premiums and one-month bonuses) amounted to HUF 306,500.

Average net earnings – excluding family tax benefits – were HUF 219,400, as defined by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. In 2018, family tax benefits rose further in case of families with two children. Taking into account family tax benefits, average net earnings are estimated to be HUF 228,000.

A part of employees at budgetary institutions and non-profit organisations – about 79 thousand persons – received a compensation not belonging to wages and salaries for changes in taxes. The average amount of the compensation was HUF 8,100 per capita at budgetary and HUF 7,300 at non-profit institutions.

Both gross earnings and net earnings without family tax benefits grew to the same extent, by 11.3%, while regular gross earnings increased less than that, by 11.2% compared to the previous year.

Along with the 2.8% rise in consumer prices compared to the same period of the previous year, real earnings increased by 8.3%.

Monthly average gross wages and salaries according to the SNA concept amounted to HUF 346,700, which were 11.4% higher than a year earlier. Within this indicator, the share of other wages and salaries was 4.8% on the average.

Average monthly earnings, January–December 2018

Sector Total Without fostered workers
average earnings, HUF change compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, % average earnings, HUF change compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, %
Gross earnings
Business sector341 50010.9342 20010.8
Budgetary institutions308 60012.1345 8009.0
Non-profit institutions286 30010.7306 9009.6
National economy total329 90011.3341 60010.2
Of which:
fostered workers81 9000.2xx
Net earnings
Business sector227 10010.9227 60010.8
Budgetary institutions205 20012.1230 0009.0
Non-profit institutions190 40010.7204 1009.6
National economy total219 40011.3227 20010.2
Of which:
fostered workers54 5000.2xx