Housing

In February 2026, only slight changes characterised the rental housing market: nationally, rental fees exceeded the previous month’s level by 0.6%, while in Budapest they fell short of it by 0.1%. The February nominal rent index exceeded the 2021 base by 68% nationwide and by 69% in the capital, while in real terms it was 15% higher in both areas. Over the course of a year, nominal rents increased by around 5%, and real rents by roughly 4%.

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After the sharp price increase recorded in the first quarter of 2025, the rise in housing prices continued at a more moderate pace in the second and third quarters. In the second quarter, housing prices were 18% higher than a year earlier, while in the third quarter they exceeded the previous year’s level by 21%. Over the same period, housing prices rose by 5.5% in the European Union and by 5.1% in the euro area. The data source currently available does not yet allow for a detailed territorial or sub?market analysis of housing market developments in the third quarter.

In 2025, 12,062 new dwellings were built, 9.3% fewer than a year earlier. The number of dwellings to be built based on issued construction permits and simple declarations was 28,081, 37% more than in 2024.

The performance of Hungary’s economy surpassed the previous year’s level by 0.3% in the 1st-3rd quarters of 2025. The increasing performance of the services sector and construction as well as growing consumption had a positive impact on GDP. These impacts however have been subdued by the setback of the industry and agriculture, the continuously subdued investment activity. Retail trade volume continued to rise, foreign demand at accommodation establishments increased, too.

The expansion of the housing loan stock continued: compared to the same period of the previous year, the total value of housing loans increased by 15% and the number of contracts by 2.7%. Within housing loan disbursements, loans for the purchase of second-hand dwellings continued to dominate, while the value of loans disbursed for the construction and purchase of new homes rose significantly – by 30–40% compared to H1 2024.

In Hungary, the number of housing constructions fell by 29% in 2024, and planned housing constructions also continued to decline in number. Housing construction costs rose at a slowing pace, in the single digits. At the same time, the volume of housing loans disbursed doubled compared to the previous year’s low base. Following the downturn a year earlier, housing market activity picked up, and housing prices once again recorded double-digit growth.

The yearbook provides an overview of Hungary's demographic, social and economic trends, environmental characteristics and their changes over time, with the help of tens of thousands of data in some 500 tables, charts and maps. In the chapter devoted to earnings and incomes, it is a novelty compared to previous years that net earnings in which allowances and types of exemptions are accounted for, too, came into focus from 2019. In the number of employees, people working in working time shorter than 60 working hours per month are also taken into account. In addition, the theme of environment is completed with areas declared world heritage sites by UNESCO.

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.

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.