GeoRealityMatch
A serene view of the Danube River with a distant panorama of Budapest, Hungary.A breathtaking aerial view of Budapest with the iconic Chain Bridge over the Danube.

Hungary

Europe · Central Europe

Very high safetyAffordable cost of livingVery high development

It is one of the most peaceful countries, and human development is high. Incomes are low for Europe.

Digital NomadOffers a digital nomad visa and home internet at 249 Mbps.ExpatCombines very high development, very high safety and affordable cost of living.
vs Austriavs Polandvs Czechia
Safety

15th most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
1.538lower is more peacefulVery high safety
#15 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Homicides
0.7per 100,000 people a yearVery lowUNODC / World Bank · 2023
Safety index
66.5Numbeo's safety index, higher is saferHighNumbeo · 2026
Money

Incomes below the European median

Median disposable income
€8,792per adult, a year, after tax and transfersVery low
Eurostat · 2025
Rent index
14.1New York = 100ModerateNumbeo · 2026
Property price to income
12.8years of median income to buy a median flatModerateNumbeo · 2026

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 126% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 42% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$25K$50K$49,838 PPP$25,907Inflation, % a year20%0200620102015202020252006, $11,478 a person, $18,362 at PPP, inflation 3.9%2007, $13,935 a person, $19,089 at PPP, inflation 8%2008, $15,763 a person, $20,709 at PPP, inflation 6%2009, $13,051 a person, $20,691 at PPP, inflation 4.2%2010, $13,190 a person, $21,691 at PPP, inflation 4.9%2011, $14,211 a person, $22,992 at PPP, inflation 3.9%2012, $12,950 a person, $23,205 at PPP, inflation 5.7%2013, $13,739 a person, $24,592 at PPP, inflation 1.7%2014, $14,353 a person, $25,796 at PPP, inflation -0.2%2015, $12,783 a person, $26,938 at PPP2016, $13,216 a person, $28,179 at PPP, inflation 0.4%2017, $14,736 a person, $29,728 at PPP, inflation 2.3%2018, $16,605 a person, $32,258 at PPP, inflation 2.9%2019, $17,013 a person, $35,627 at PPP, inflation 3.3%2020, $16,387 a person, $35,584 at PPP, inflation 3.3%2021, $19,031 a person, $38,887 at PPP, inflation 5.1%2022, $18,428 a person, $44,232 at PPP, inflation 14.6%2023, $22,209 a person, $46,376 at PPP, inflation 17.1%2024, $23,305 a person, $48,540 at PPP, inflation 3.7%2025, $25,907 a person, $49,838 at PPP, inflation 4.4%$0$25K$50KInflation, % a year20%0200620102015202020252006, $11,478 a person, $18,362 at PPP, inflation 3.9%2007, $13,935 a person, $19,089 at PPP, inflation 8%2008, $15,763 a person, $20,709 at PPP, inflation 6%2009, $13,051 a person, $20,691 at PPP, inflation 4.2%2010, $13,190 a person, $21,691 at PPP, inflation 4.9%2011, $14,211 a person, $22,992 at PPP, inflation 3.9%2012, $12,950 a person, $23,205 at PPP, inflation 5.7%2013, $13,739 a person, $24,592 at PPP, inflation 1.7%2014, $14,353 a person, $25,796 at PPP, inflation -0.2%2015, $12,783 a person, $26,938 at PPP2016, $13,216 a person, $28,179 at PPP, inflation 0.4%2017, $14,736 a person, $29,728 at PPP, inflation 2.3%2018, $16,605 a person, $32,258 at PPP, inflation 2.9%2019, $17,013 a person, $35,627 at PPP, inflation 3.3%2020, $16,387 a person, $35,584 at PPP, inflation 3.3%2021, $19,031 a person, $38,887 at PPP, inflation 5.1%2022, $18,428 a person, $44,232 at PPP, inflation 14.6%2023, $22,209 a person, $46,376 at PPP, inflation 17.1%2024, $23,305 a person, $48,540 at PPP, inflation 3.7%2025, $25,907 a person, $49,838 at PPP, inflation 4.4%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Above-average life expectancy

Life expectancy
76.7years, at birthHigh
#69 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
80WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100HighWHO · 2023
Air pollution
11.2PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageLowWHO · 2023
Work and internet

Lower youth unemployment than most of Europe

Youth unemployment
13.9%share of 15 to 24 year olds in the labour forceLow
Eurostat · 2025
Home internet
249 Mbpsmedian download speedVery fastOokla Speedtest · 2025
English proficiency
590EF English Proficiency Index scoreHighEF EPI · 2025

Internet speeds

Home internet249 MbpsVery fast
Mobile91 MbpsModerate

Ookla Speedtest Global Index, median download speed, ranked among the countries Ookla lists.

Visas and moving

Digital nomad visaMedium

Minimum income
$3,300 a month
Duration
12 months
Renewable
Yes
Application fee
€110about $121
  • Tax treatmentLocal rates apply
  • Processing timeAbout 30 days
  • Health insuranceRequired
  • DependantsNot allowed
  • Apply onlineYes
  • Path to residencyNo
  • NationalitiesSome are restricted
Official pageImmigration portal
A breathtaking aerial view of Budapest with the iconic Chain Bridge over the Danube.
How it changed

Hungary's Human Development Index

0.870Very high human development

46th of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 32nd of 44 in Europe.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #44Slovakia0.880
  2. #45Chile0.878
  3. #46Hungary0.870
  4. #47Argentina0.865
  5. #48Montenegro0.862
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 1990

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.730 in 1990 to 0.870 in 2023.

0.700.800.900.87019902000201020231990: 0.7301991: 0.7241992: 0.7221993: 0.7291994: 0.7391995: 0.7441996: 0.7521997: 0.7581998: 0.7641999: 0.7712000: 0.7812001: 0.7912002: 0.8002003: 0.8072004: 0.8112005: 0.8162006: 0.8232007: 0.8262008: 0.8332009: 0.8342010: 0.8382011: 0.8412012: 0.8412013: 0.8502014: 0.8482015: 0.8472016: 0.8512017: 0.8532018: 0.8572019: 0.8612020: 0.8572021: 0.8522022: 0.8672023: 0.8700.700.800.9019902000201020231990: 0.7301991: 0.7241992: 0.7221993: 0.7291994: 0.7391995: 0.7441996: 0.7521997: 0.7581998: 0.7641999: 0.7712000: 0.7812001: 0.7912002: 0.8002003: 0.8072004: 0.8112005: 0.8162006: 0.8232007: 0.8262008: 0.8332009: 0.8342010: 0.8382011: 0.8412012: 0.8412013: 0.8502014: 0.8482015: 0.8472016: 0.8512017: 0.8532018: 0.8572019: 0.8612020: 0.8572021: 0.8522022: 0.8672023: 0.870

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 34 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
76.7 years2024at birthUp 4.1 years from 72.7 years in 2005
Internet users
94%2024of people onlineUp 47 points from 47% in 2006
Urban population
71%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 4 points from 67% in 2006
Births per woman
1.412024births per womanUp 0.10 from 1.31 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
15%2021of energy usedUp 11 points from 5% in 2004
Access to electricity
100%2024of people with electricityLevel with 2005
Infant mortality
32024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 3 from 6 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
4.5 t2024of CO2 per person a yearDown 1.6 t from 6.1 t in 2005
Forest area
22%2023of land under forestLevel with 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

Budapest is one of Europe's most beautiful cities; the politics are controversial. The case for living here is peace and very high human development. The case against is low incomes for Europe.

About Hungary

Hungary is a Central European country whose capital Budapest is one of the continent's great cities, split by the Danube into Buda's castle-crowned hills and Pest's grand boulevards, thermal baths, and ruin bar culture. The food tradition is rich and hearty, the folk arts are among the most distinctive in Europe, and the Hungarian language and culture are unlike anything around them. Those who enjoy architecture, food, and a city that rewards walking in every direction will love it.

Practical facts

  • CapitalBudapest
  • LanguagesHungarian
  • CurrencyHungarian forint (HUF)
  • Area91,260 km²
  • Plug typeType C/F
  • Drives on theright
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AustriaCroatiaRomaniaSerbiaSlovakiaSloveniaUkraine

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Quick answers

What is Hungary's Human Development Index?

Hungary's Human Development Index is 0.870 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #46 of 193 by UNDP.

Is Hungary safe?

Hungary scores 1.54 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #15 of 161 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.

How expensive is Hungary?

Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Hungary at 46.9 (New York = 100); that is #87 cheapest of 143 countries with data.

What is life expectancy in Hungary?

Life expectancy at birth in Hungary is 76.7 yrs (World Bank), ranked #69 of 195 countries.

What is the quality of life in Hungary?

Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Hungary at 147.6, ranked #43 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.