Hungary has recorded another sharp fall in the number of births, while deaths slightly increased in August compared with a year earlier. The latest figures add to a long-running demographic trend that has seen the country’s population decline for decades, even as fewer deaths have somewhat moderated the natural population loss so far this year.
According to preliminary data released by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) and reported by MTI on Friday, 5,922 children were born in Hungary in August 2026, while 9,452 people died.
The number of births was 7.4% lower than in August 2025, representing 475 fewer newborns. Meanwhile, deaths increased by 0.9%, or 87 people, year on year.As a result, Hungary recorded a natural population decrease of 3,530 people in August, compared with 2,968 in the same month last year.
The August decline is part of a much longer demographic trend: Hungary’s population has been shrinking for decades, while the number of births has continued to fall in recent years.
Fewer children born in Hungary
Between January and August, 46,497 children were born, 3.5% or 1,663 fewer than during the same period in 2025.
Births fell by 3.4% between January and March and by 4.7% between May and August compared with the corresponding periods of last year. April was the only exception, when the number of births rose by 1.8% year on year.
Hungary’s estimated total fertility rate also declined, from 1.31 to 1.29 children per woman. The indicator estimates how many children a woman would have over her lifetime if the fertility patterns observed during the period remained unchanged.
The difference between births and deaths produced a natural decrease of 34,900 people between January and August. That was slightly smaller than the 35,374 recorded a year earlier, primarily because fewer people died. Birth numbers, however, continued to decline.
More than 51,000 more deaths than births in 12 months
Between September 2025 and August 2026, 70,354 children were born in Hungary, 5.1% fewer than during the preceding 12 months. Over the same period, 122,056 people died, which means the number of deaths exceeded the number of births by 51,702.
Natural population decrease should not be confused with the total change in Hungary’s population, as immigration and emigration also affect the number of people living in the country. The latest figures nevertheless fit into a demographic decline that has been underway for decades.
What about the warning that Hungary could have only 5.2 million people by 2100?
The latest KSH data come only weeks after a separate long-term demographic forecast attracted considerable attention in Hungary.
As we previously reported, demographer Pál Péter Tóth warned at the 64th Annual Meeting of the Hungarian Economic Association that, if current demographic trends continue, Hungary’s population could fall to around 5.2 million by 2100.
The KSH’s own forecasts are also scenarios rather than predictions of an inevitable future. Under its medium scenario, Hungary’s population could also fall significantly, to around 6.8 million by 2076.
What the latest data do show is that the immediate trend has not reversed: fewer children are being born, and Hungary continues to record substantially more deaths than births.
If you missed it: Shocking warning by demographer: Hungary could have just 5 million people by 2100
Marriages also fell sharply in August
The KSH figures also showed a significant decline in marriages during the month. A total of 5,633 couples married in August, 12% or 739 fewer than in August 2025.
Across the first eight months of the year, however, the picture was slightly different. A total of 31,287 couples married between January and August, 1% more than during the same period last year. The KSH also stressed that the latest 2026 vital statistics are preliminary.
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