External trade and balance of payments

External trade statistics are made up of two main areas. Goods trade statistics collect data on the movement of physically existing goods among countries, while external services trade statistics take account of international trade in typically intangible services (e.g. travel, transport). Although services account for the larger part of production, some four-fifths of external trade is in goods. The difference is due to the differing degrees of storability and transportability. The balance of payments is a statistical statement that systematises the economic transactions of a particular country with the rest of the world in a particular period.

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The surplus of the external trade in goods was EUR 739 million in May, compared to the same period of the previous year, the export volume grew by 3.2%, that of import by 5.4%. External trade in goods, May 2025

The surplus was EUR 739 million, the balance deteriorated by EUR 281 million, year-on-year. compared to the same period of the previous year, the export volume grew by 3.2%, that of import by 5.4%, while the seasonally and working day adjusted export volume lagged behind the April 2025 level by 0.6%, that of import surpassed it by 2.0%.

HCSO Monitor

The collection of interactive figures provides up-to-date information on the latest domestic and international socio-economic trends. The decisive part of the figures included in HCSO Monitor are downloadable in both image and data formats (PNG, SVG and CSV). Feel free to browse the data in HCSO Monitor, updated many times a week!

Snapshots, 2024 - External trade

The volume of Hungary’s export of goods lessened in 2024 by 2.1%, its import by 3.7%. At the same time the balance of the external trade of goods improved by 1.2 thousand billion HUF, showing a surplus of 4.6 thousand billion HUF. The value of the export in services grew by 6.8%, that of its import by 5.3%, generating a 4.4 thousand billion HUF surplus, 404 billion more than in 2023.

The surplus of the external trade in services in the 1st quarter was EUR 2.2 billion; External trade in services, 1st quarter 2025

Service exports calculated in EUR decreased by 3.6%, and imports by 2.6% in the 1st quarter of 2025, compared to the same period of the previous year. The surplus reached EUR 2.2 billion, EUR 141 million less than in the 1st quarter of 2024. Export value lessened by 11%, that of import by 9.0%, generating EUR 446 million lower surplus compared to the 4th quarter of 2024.

Statistical Pocketbook of Hungary, 2024

The tables and charts in the latest edition of the Statistical Pocketbook of Hungary provide a comprehensive insight into the development of social and economic trends in Hungary during the year 2024. It aims to provide a summary picture of the country's situation in all possible areas based on preliminary indicators. Within the number of employees, this year's pocketbook also includes employed persons working less than 60 hours, and the gross revenues at tourist accommodation establishments.

Snapshots, 2023 – World Trade

Global external trade in goods lagged, both in value and volume, behind the one year earlier level in 2023, last time a similar setback occurred in 2020. In contrast, the value of the global services turnover slightly surpassed the previous year’s value, at the same time its growth pace was more subdued than in the previous two years. Countries from Asia played the most significant role in the external trade in goods, the bulk of the global services turnover, however, was connected to Europe.

Statistical Yearbook of Hungary, 2023

The yearbook provides an overview of Hungary's demographic, social and economic processes, environmental characteristics and their changes over time, with the help of tens of thousands of data of 500 tables, graphs and maps. Innovatively, the Tourism, catering chapter in the volume includes the gross receipts of tourist accommodation establishments by type of accommodation. Another change is that this year the Regional data chapter already presents territorial data by tourism area, giving greater emphasis to tourist destinations.

Hungary, 2023

Geopolitical tensions continued to overshadow economic developments in 2023, with the gross domestic product falling by 0.9%. Inflationary pressures gradually eased, but the 17.6% annual increase in consumer prices led to a decline in real earnings and consumption, and negatively affected investment decisions. Despite the economic difficulties, employment has reached a record high. In 2023, the number of deaths and births continued to fall, in addition to the decrease in the number of women of childbearing age.