Government family policy measures and tax reductions introduced in recent years have contributed significantly to improving opportunities and living conditions for women in Hungary, according to a new analysis by the Kopp Mária Institute for Population and Families (KINCS).
The report highlights that expanded family support programmes, reduced tax burdens for mothers and policies encouraging employment and home ownership have together strengthened women’s position in the labour market, society and household finances. Based on indicators covering employment, health, education, public life and family policy, Hungary continues to rank among the top European Union countries in terms of opportunities available to women.
One of the most significant developments in recent years has been the government’s comprehensive family tax reduction programme, which places mothers at its centre. As part of this programme, maternity-related benefits such as the infant care allowance and the childcare allowance became tax-free in 2025. As a result, mothers can receive more income during the childcare period than they did while working, a system described as unique in Europe.
The value of the family tax allowance has also doubled. Since autumn 2025, all women raising three children have been exempt from personal income tax, and from January 2026, the measure was extended to women under 30 with one child and women under 40 raising two children. In the coming years, the exemption will gradually be expanded to all mothers with two children.
The institute previously developed the Women’s Opportunities Index in 2021, which compares opportunities available to women across the European Union in areas such as employment, education, healthcare, public life and family policy. In that ranking, Hungary shared second place with Finland, behind Sweden. Updated indicators suggest that the situation of Hungarian women and mothers has continued to improve, while several EU member states have seen stagnation or less favourable trends.
‘Hungary shared second place with Finland, behind Sweden’
Participation of women in the labour market has shown one of the most notable improvements. According to data from Eurostat, the employment rate of women aged 20–64 rose from 73.6 per cent in 2021 to 77.1 per cent in 2024, remaining above the EU average. Hungary also continues to record one of the lowest unemployment rates in the bloc, while the share of women in managerial positions has increased.
Progress has also been observed in education. Among women aged 25–64, the proportion holding a higher education degree increased from 30.3 per cent in 2019 to 36.5 per cent in 2024. Women now account for roughly six out of ten recent graduates, and they represent more than half of PhD students.
Women’s representation in public life and the judiciary has also grown. By 2024, women held 14.6 per cent of parliamentary seats, while women formed a majority within the Supreme Court.
Health indicators have also improved. Both life expectancy at birth and the number of healthy years lived by Hungarian women have increased. The latter rose by nearly three years, from 61.8 to 64.6 years. In European comparison, this improvement is considered significant, with Hungarian women now expected to live more healthy years than their counterparts in 18 EU member states. The analysis notes that Hungary’s internationally unique health visitor network has also played a role in supporting maternal and family health.
Overall, the report concludes that the situation of Hungarian women has improved across several key areas in recent years. Employment levels have increased, participation in education and research has strengthened, and the number of healthy years lived has grown. At the same time, family policy measures introduced by the government continue to expand support for mothers, contributing to greater financial security and helping reduce gender inequalities and wage gaps.
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