This year’s US human rights report on Hungary marks a dramatic break from the Biden years, omitting past allegations on media freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, and corruption. Instead, it commends government action in several areas—a change Budapest calls a return to ‘respect’.
Hungary experienced a record-breaking year in tourism in 2024, with nearly 18 million visitors staying at domestic accommodations. Of these, 9.3 million were Hungarian travelers. According to data from the National Tourism Data Supply Centre, the most active regions for domestic tourism were Pest, Győr–Moson–Sopron, and Komárom–Esztergom counties.
Hungary’s Paks Nuclear Power Plant closed 2024 with its fifth-highest annual electricity production, generating 16,016.6 GWh—nearly half of the country’s total electricity output. The plant has prevented close to 250 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions over its lifetime.
After two consecutive quarters of contraction, Hungary’s gross domestic product grew by 0.5 per cent in the last quarter of 2024. Compared to the data from a year ago, the growth was 0.4 per cent, better than originally expected by analysts.
Hungary’s tourism sector experienced a record-breaking year in 2024, with increased visitor numbers and growing revenues driving economic expansion. National Economy Minister Márton Nagy highlighted tourism as a key driver of GDP, announcing new initiatives such as regulatory changes and infrastructure investments to sustain momentum.
In 2024, the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden reached a milestone, welcoming over 1.1 million visitors at its City Park location—the highest since 2003. Including the Margitsziget Petting Zoo, the total attendance soared to over 1.3 million, reflecting remarkable growth.
HungaroControl reached a milestone in 2024, managing over 1.1 million flights in Hungarian airspace—a 6 per cent increase from the previous year. This record underscores Hungary’s growing importance in European aviation.
‘People are challenging the pressure that comes from the media and the unrepresentative elites and are pushing for the return of proper conservative policies. This would not have happened without the victory of Donald Trump in 2024, the resistance of leaders such as PM Orbán, as well as the purchase of Twitter by Elon Musk and the rise of alternative media.’
FILMIO, the streaming platform of Hungary’s National Film Institute (NFI), achieved remarkable growth in 2024. User engagement soared by over 20 per cent, with the platform introducing exciting new content, including classic restorations and new releases.
In 2024, over 50 films supported by Hungary’s National Film Institute debuted, including 13 in cinemas and more than 40 on television. The NFI-sponsored productions attracted over 575,000 viewers in film theatres.