Hungary has reached a historic low in the number of registered jobseekers, according to a statement released by the Ministry for National Economy. The government emphasized that this milestone reflects the success of its targeted programmes designed to help people into work as quickly as possible. Despite external pressure from Brussels to direct more financial support toward Ukraine, the Hungarian government is maintaining its commitment to prioritizing domestic employment, particularly among families with children.
As of June 2025, official data show that just over 219,000 jobseekers were registered in Hungary, a drop of more than 3,000 from both the previous month and the same period last year. Compared to 2010, this represents a decline of 326,000. The ministry highlighted that this is the lowest figure since the democratic transition, and presented it as clear evidence of the government’s effective employment policy.
Over the past decade and a half, the number of people employed in Hungary has increased by one million, reaching nearly 4.7 million. Wages have seen significant growth as well: average salaries have more than tripled, and the minimum wage has quadrupled. Real wages have also been rising steadily for over 18 months, giving households more purchasing power.
The ministry pointed out that the government has launched several programmes to support the integration of jobseekers into the labour market, including initiatives for both young people and those over 30. These programmes offer financial assistance and have already helped tens of thousands of people return to work, with substantial backing from European Union funds.
The government also recently restarted a programme to transition workers from public employment to the private sector and introduced a support scheme aimed at helping those recently laid off to find new positions quickly. In a further sign of its commitment to a resilient labour market, the ministry has extended the application deadline for the ‘Responsible Employer of the Year 2025’ award, a long-standing initiative to promote responsible business practices and encourage long-term job creation.
According to the government, the growing interest in this award demonstrates that more employers are adopting a supportive and sustainable approach to workforce management—something that, in their view, strengthens not only the economy but also Hungarian society as a whole.
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