A cold reality: More people freeze to death in a year in Hungary than in a decade in Austria

Hungary recorded a staggering number of hypothermia-related deaths last year, with 247 people succumbing to freezing temperatures—far more than Austria, where only 35 cases occurred, despite colder winters. Hungarian politician Bence Tordai highlighted these figures on social media, emphasising that more people died of cold in Hungary in 2023 alone than in Austria over the past decade. He argues this reflects a deep-seated issue in Hungary, with many elderly individuals struggling to keep warm in inadequately heated homes.

As reported by Telex, according to data from Hungarian and Austrian statistical offices, shared by Hungarian Member of Parliament Bence Tordai on Facebook, more people died from hypothermia in Hungary in 2023 than in Austria over the past ten years. This stark comparison draws attention to a crisis affecting Hungary’s most vulnerable, particularly the elderly.

Austria: similar population, colder winters, far less hypothermia-related deaths

The 2023 statistics reveal that hypothermia ranked as the third leading cause of accidental death unrelated to vehicle accidents in Hungary. In Austria, which has a similar population size but typically colder winters, only 35 individuals died from cold last year. Tordai noted that comparing these figures across a decade underscores the severity of Hungary’s situation: fewer people died of hypothermia in Austria in the past ten years than in Hungary in 2023 alone. He suggests this troubling trend points to government responsibility.

Tordai’s post also provided insight into the demographics and locations of the victims. According to Hungary’s Central Statistical Office (KSH), 70% of those who died from hypothermia were over 60, with 60% of these deaths occurring at home. Contrary to common perception, hypothermia primarily affects those in poorly heated homes rather than those living on the streets. Only 17% of cases occurred in public spaces.

Authorities have failed to address the issue

The MP criticised the government for its inaction, claiming that despite proposals aimed at preventing hypothermia deaths and alleviating Hungary’s housing crisis, authorities have failed to address the issue.

Every year, hundreds of people die from hypothermia in Hungary, with the problem deeply rooted in the country’s housing crisis. A Telex article published last December detailed similar findings, with data from KSH confirming that elderly individuals frequently die from cold in their own homes.

Approximately three million people in Hungary are estimated to be affected by housing instability, struggling to afford rent, mortgage payments, and utility costs. Compounding this issue, nearly 520,000 Hungarians lived in poorly heated homes in 2020, shedding light on how many could be at risk of hypothermia within their own walls.

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