Median wage shockingly low, half of the Hungarians get less than EUR 875/month net

The average gross wage in Hungary rose 12.5pc year-on-year to HUF 627,400 in September, data released by the Central Statistics Office (KSH) on Friday show. However, the median wage is still very low compared to other Central European countries since it barely reaches EUR 873.

Net wages climbed at the same pace to HUF 417,200.

Real wages rose 9.2pc, calculating with September CPI of 3.0pc.

The gross median wage increased 15.5pc to HUF 519,500. That is HUF 359,100 net, which is currently EUR 873. Half of the Hungarians received less money than that after working for a month.

Hungary’s statutory monthly minimum wage was raised by 15pc to HUF 266,800 for unskilled labourers and by 10pc to HUF 326,000 for skilled workers from December 1.

Excluding Hungarians working full time in fostered work programmes — who earned on average gross HUF 132,300 in September — the average gross monthly wage was HUF 637,300.

The average gross wage in the business sector, which includes state-owned companies, rose 11.9pc to HUF 630,700. The average gross wage in the public sector climbed 14.1pc to HUF 612,100. In the non-profit sector, the average gross wage increased 14.0pc to HUF 638,600.