How to convince expat Hungarians to return to Hungary?

Based on the official data, around 80 thousand Hungarians are working abroad, but based on Portfolio’s data, almost 300 thousand. Pénzcentrum did a quick survey, with the aim of finding some reasons that could make these Hungarians return to their home country.

Online business magazine Pénzcentrum focused on the reasons why Hungarians leave for abroad and what would make them return or not return. Surprisingly, most Hungarians decide to work elsewhere not just because of the higher wages, but also because employees are much more respected and valued.

A Hungarian girl started working as a maid in Great Britain, but she was quickly promoted and became the rest of the maids’ coordinator and supervisor. A similar story was shared by another girl working in London, where she was promoted to a supervisor from a waitress in just six months.

A nurse told Pénzcentrum that she left Hungary because there are far more possibilities for advancement. On top of this, foreign medical care is more developed; they have everything at their disposal. They do not need to beg, ask for something, do not have to save on resources, and there is no such thing as recycling tools in hospitals.

Referring back to the wages, Pénzcentrum reveals that Hungarians abroad earn the multiple of the average Hungarian wage.

Data provided by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office shows that the average gross wage in Hungary was 340.600 forints (1047 euro) in April. The average gross wage was highest in the financing and assurance sector with 625.900 forints (EUR 1925) while lowest in tourism with 206.500 forints (EUR 635).

Pénzcentrum shares a poll initiated in a Facebook group for Hungarians living in Germany, answered by over two thousand users. The aim was to find out for what net wage would expats return to Hungary, or what is the sum that would make them never to consider moving abroad.

Question: Which net wage would make you return to Hungary (or never leave Hungary)?
source: Facebook

The answers show that most Hungarians would return to Hungary for a monthly wage reaching net 1800-2000 euros, which equals to 580 thousand forints. Others would be sufficed with just 1400-1600 euros, equalling 450-516 thousand forints. The third largest group is made up of those who would live in Hungary out of 1000-1200 euros per month (322-387 thousand forints).

Still, the people interviewed by Pénzcentrum already said: money is not everything. This tendency shows itself in this particular Facebook group too. Someone commented the following:

‘I came here in November. As a PLC programmer, I would have made net 450 thousand forints at home (EUR 1380). Here, in a small town, in Crailsheim, I earn 2260 euros net. I did not have to pay rent at home, here I do. In conclusion, I can spare just a little at the end of the month, but

this calm feeling I experience here is worth everything. I highly doubt that I could feel the same way back at home’

Another person highlighted the peace of mind experienced abroad: ‘The overall peace of mind here and being valued at my workplace cannot be converted into money.

The pension of someone’s retired mother in the group is barely 80 thousand forints (EUR 245) after 44 years of work. If they would have remained in Hungary, they could not support their mother financially, but by working abroad, this does not constitute a problem.

Source: penzcentrum.hu