Remarkable: Hungarian salary growth above inflation
According to the latest figures published by Hungary’s Central Statistical Office (KSH), average earnings in Hungary continued to grow at a pace comfortably exceeding inflation in October 2025, leading to a noticeable rise in real wages despite persistent cost-of-living pressures.
According to Telex’s article, the data shows that the gross average monthly salary of full-time employees reached HUF 692,700 in October, while the net average salary stood at HUF 482,400. Compared to the same period last year, gross wages increased by 8.7%, net wages by 10%, and real wages – adjusted for inflation – by 5.5%. EUR 1 is HUF 386.85 at the time of the creation of this article.
This means that, at least statistically, Hungarian employees were able to afford more goods and services than a year earlier, as salary growth outpaced consumer price increases. In October, inflation stood at 4.3% year on year, well below the growth rate of earnings.
Tax allowances boost net income growth
KSH highlighted that net wages rose faster than gross earnings largely due to changes in the tax system. From 1 July 2025, a higher family tax allowance came into effect, followed by a new benefit for mothers raising three children from 1 October 2025. These measures significantly increased take-home pay for eligible workers, pushing net salary growth above the rise in gross salaries.
While the headline figures suggest an improving picture, analysts note that individual experiences may vary considerably. Those whose wages did not increase at a similar rate, or who spend a larger share of their income on food and services – sectors where prices rose faster – may not feel the same improvement in living standards.
Median salary remains well below the average
The statistics also underline persistent income disparities. The median gross wage – the level at which half of workers earn more and half earn less – was HUF 575,000, while the median net wage reached HUF 401,100. These figures represent annual increases of 9.4% and 10.3%, respectively.
The gap between average and median earnings indicates that higher salaries at the top continue to pull up the overall average. In practical terms, someone taking home around HUF 401,000 net per month earned more than roughly half of Hungary’s workforce, while the other half earned less.
Regular earnings show broad-based growth
Excluding bonuses, premiums and one-off payments, the regular gross average wage stood at HUF 668,000 in October, marking a 9% year-on-year increase. Growth was evident across all major sectors of the economy:
- Businesses: HUF 664,600 (+8.2%)
- Public sector: HUF 670,800 (+11.5%)
- Non-profit sector: HUF 693,000 (+9.7%)
The particularly strong rise in public sector wages reflects ongoing government efforts to retain staff and compensate for earlier periods of high inflation.
Purchasing power improves – on paper
With real wages up by 5.5%, the data suggests that an average worker whose net income rose by around 10% could theoretically afford 5–6% more goods and services than a year earlier, even after accounting for price increases.
However, economists caution that this improvement is uneven. Spending patterns matter: households focused mainly on essentials such as food and services may have experienced higher effective inflation, while those spending more on clothing or utilities may have felt a greater benefit from salary growth.
Wage trends for the year so far
Looking at the period from January to October 2025, the gross average wage of full-time employees amounted to HUF 691,400, while the net average reached HUF 476,600. Over these ten months, gross wages increased by 9.1%, and net wages by 9.3% compared to the same period in 2024.