Hungarian households with children are spending significantly more on telecommunications services than those without, according to a survey published by the National Media and Communications Authority (NMHH).
The key reason for the increased spending, NMHH says, is the broader range of services used by families raising children. While only 18 per cent of childless households use streaming platforms, that number jumps to 69 per cent among families with two or more children. This trend reflects a broader reliance on digital and entertainment services in households with younger members.
The average Hungarian household spends around 24,000 forints per month on telecom services, but for families, that figure can increase by roughly 3,400 forints per child. This is largely due to more frequent subscriptions to services like television and streaming, the authority said.
Traditional television remains widespread in Hungary, with 90 per cent of households subscribing. Among families with children, this figure nears 100 per cent. Streaming, however, shows the clearest divide: 39 per cent of one-child households use such services, rising to nearly 70 per cent for those with multiple children. Netflix leads the market among families, followed by Disney+, which also ranks highly despite not being exclusively aimed at children.
‘The average Hungarian household spends around 24,000 forints per month on telecom services, but for families, that figure can increase by roughly 3,400 forints per child’
The NMHH report also examined the impact of children’s ages on telecom spending. Children under six rarely use mobile phones, but by age 12, usage becomes nearly universal. Younger users often rely on prepaid SIM cards, which offer more cost control than monthly subscriptions.
On average, a child’s prepaid mobile service adds 4,300 forints per month to a household’s telecom costs. In contrast, a standard subscription averages 6,400 forints—still lower than the 8,200 forints typically paid by adults. Around 80 per cent of children aged 9 to 11 already have some form of mobile plan, though less than half use mobile internet. Regular adult-like usage begins mostly between the ages of 12 and 17.
The study also found that family telecom bundles can result in meaningful savings. On average, such packages reduce monthly costs by 1,600 forints. However, one of their main selling points, like free calls among family members, has lost relevance due to the growing availability of unlimited domestic calls across standard mobile plans.
NMHH concluded that while telecom spending rises with each additional child, there are still opportunities for families to cut costs through strategic package choices.
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