Hungary Industrial Output Rises for 1st Time in Almost 2 Years

Industrial production in Hungary grew by 1.8% year-on-year in December 2025, rebounding from a 5.4% decline in the previous month, according to preliminary estimates. This marked the first growth in industrial activity since February 2024, driven by notable increases in production volumes across most of the manufacturing sub-sectors. Among the most important sub-sectors, vehicle manufacturing and food, beverage and tobacco products expanded slightly, while computer, electronic and optical product manufacturing and electrical equipment manufacturing recorded significant growth. On a seasonally and working-day adjusted monthly basis, industrial output rose by 0.9% compared with the previous month, recovering from a 2% decrease in November. For the full year of 2025, the volume of industrial production was 3.2% lower than in 2024.

The industrial production in Hungary fell by 5.4% year-on-year in November 2025, deepening from a 2.7% drop in the previous month, and in line with preliminary estimates. This marked the steepest decline since August, as manufacturing output continued to fall (-5.7% vs -2.9% in October), particularly in coke and refined petroleum products (-35.6% vs -31.8%), chemicals and chemical products (-14.4% vs -13.3%), pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical, and botanical products (-11.1% vs -6.4%), rubber and plastics products and other non-metallic mineral products (-10.3% vs -5.1%), and machinery and equipment (-16% vs 2%). Additionally, production tumbled in mining and quarrying (-11.8% vs 2%) and electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (-2.1% vs 8.5%). On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, industrial activity decreased by 2%, reversing from a 0.4% increase in October. Over the January-November period, industrial output was 3.5% lower than in the same period a year earlier.

Industrial production in Hungary dropped by 5.4% year-on-year in November 2025, slipping further from a 2.7% fall in October, and exceeded expectations of a 2.2% decline. Production volumes declined across the vast majority of manufacturing sub-sectors, with particularly notable decreases in vehicle and electrical equipment output. In contrast, certain sectors recorded gains, including the manufacture of computers, electronics, and optical products, as well as food, beverages, and tobacco products. On a seasonally and working-day adjusted basis, industrial output decreased 2% compared with the previous month, reversing a modest 0.4% increase in October. Over the first eleven months of the year, industrial production was 3.5% lower than in the same period last year.