Current Population Trends

Hungary's Declining Population: A Demographic Analysis

Current Population Trends

Hungary's population has been in a state of gradual decline since 1980. According to the 2023 population estimates, Hungary has a population of approximately 9.7 million people, with a population density of 112 people per square kilometer (291 people per square mile). This represents a significant decrease from the country's peak population of 10.7 million in 1980.

Key Demographic Indicators

• Median age: 44.3 years
• Total fertility rate (TFR): 1.55 children per woman
• Immigration rate: 2.2 migrants per 1,000 population
• Urban population: 68.2%
• Urbanization rate: 0.3% annual growth

Historical and Projected Population Growth

The chart below illustrates Hungary's population density from 1950 to 2024, along with United Nations projections through the year 2100.

Year	Population Density (people per Km2)
1950	101
1960	108
1970	114
1980	119
1990	116
2000	112
2010	108
2020	111
2024	112 (projected)
2100	79 (projected)

As the table shows, Hungary's population density has fluctuated over the decades, but has generally declined since 1980. The United Nations projections indicate that this trend is expected to continue, with Hungary's population density projected to decline to 79 people per square kilometer by 2100.

Causes of Population Decline

The decline in Hungary's population can be attributed to a combination of factors, including:

• Low fertility rates
• Emigration
• An aging population

The government has implemented various policies to address the population decline, but it remains to be seen whether these measures will be effective in reversing the trend.