Hungary Wage Growth Hits 3-Year Low

Hungary’s gross average wages rose by 7.1% year-on-year to HUF 754,700 in June 2026, easing from an 8.7% increase in the previous month. The latest figure marked the weakest growth since February 2023, as wage growth in the public sector slowed to 7.1% from 9.4% in May, while earnings growth in the private sector also decreased to 7.0% from 8.5%. Additionally, wage growth in the non-profit sector moderated to 8.1% from 8.9%. On the other hand, gross earnings excluding one-off payments and bonuses increased by 7.9% year-on-year to HUF 708,600 in June. In the first half of 2026, average gross wages grew by 11.5% compared with the same period a year earlier, reaching HUF 772,800.

Hungary’s gross average wages rose 8.7% year-on-year to HUF 764,100 in May 2026, easing from a 9.0% increase in the previous month. The latest figure marked the slowest growth since December 2025, as wages in the public sector moderated to 9.4% from 10.7% in April, while earnings growth in the private sector also decreased to 8.5% from 8.7%. On the other hand, wage growth in the non-profit sector grew notably by 8.9% from 7.6%. Additionally, gross earnings excluding one-off payments and bonuses increased 9.1% year-on-year to HUF 718,200 in May. In the first five months of 2026, average gross wages increased 12.4% compared to the same period a year earlier, reaching HUF 776,400.

Hungary’s gross average wages rose 9% year-on-year to HUF 772,200 in April 2026, easing from a 9.2% increase in the previous month. Wage growth in the public sector moderated to 10.7% from 11.8% in March, while earnings growth also slowed in the non-profit sector to 7.6% from 10.1%. In contrast, wage growth in the private sector accelerated to 8.7% from 8.4%. Additionally, gross wages excluding one-off payments and bonuses increased 8.4% year-on-year to HUF 711,400 in April. In the first four months of 2026, average gross wages rose 13.4% from the same period a year earlier, reaching HUF 779,500.