What do we live from? An international survey on financial decisions of the households is being launched, 04/09/2026
How much savings do we have, how much of the loan are we repaying, and how are our consumption habits changing? Among others, these are the questions that the data collection of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (HCSO) titled ‘What do we live from?’ starting from early September seeks to answer. The survey is the part of the survey coordinated by the European Central Bank (ECB), which is conducted in Hungary by the HCSO in cooperation with the Hungarian National Bank (MNB). Countrywide, 15 328 households are invited to participate in the survey.
The aim of the survey is to provide a comprehensive overview of the financial situation, savings, loans, expenditures, and consumption patterns of the Hungarian households. The results will contribute to providing decision-makers of Hungary and the European Union with reliable information on the financial situation of households and changes therein. Hungary is participating in the survey based on a uniform methodology, for the fifth time (since 2014), coordinated by the European Central Bank.
Data collection will begin in early September 2026 and will conclude in mid-December. The addresses included in the survey have been selected by the HCSO using a statistical sampling procedure. During the selection process, any Hungarian household had a chance to be included in the sample. The results of the survey can also provide a picture of the living conditions of the households at national level.
However, participation in the survey is voluntary, every questionnaire response is important. The selected households represent many other families in a similar situation, therefore, in addition to participation, honest answers to the questions also contribute to obtaining the most accurate possible picture of Hungarian households’ financial situation. The data are subject to enhanced protection: the responses are treated confidentially by the HCSO’s employees and processed solely for statistical purposes, on an anonymous basis. The HCSO does not share individual responses with other organisations, and no other organisations or authorities have access to them. Data processing and data protection are guaranteed by the HCSO, the survey interviewers’ obligation to maintain confidentiality, as well as the applicable data protection and statistical legislation. (You can find more information about this here.)
The invited respondents can complete the questionnaire online from the comfort of their homes, at a time convenient for them, until 30 September. If they do not take advantage of this opportunity, the HCSO’s interviewer will contact them in person or by phone between 1 October and 14 December. The Office thanks respondents for successfully completing the questionnaire with a shopping voucher worth HUF 12,500 for online completion, and HUF 5,000 for in-person completion or responses provided by telephone.
The HCSO encourages the selected households to take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the survey. Every completed questionnaire contributes to obtaining the most accurate possible picture of the financial situation of Hungarian households.
Further information about the survey and answers to frequently asked questions are available here.
Hungarian Central Statistical Office
H-1024 Budapest, Keleti Károly utca 5–7. Phone number: (+36-1) 345-6000
Postal address: H-1525 Budapest, P.O.Box 51
www.ksh.hu