Hungarians rank among the least satisfied with life in the EU

Hungarians have reported some of the lowest levels of life satisfaction in the European Union, according to the latest survey by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound). The findings highlight a troubling trend of dissatisfaction, with Hungary sitting near the bottom of the EU rankings.

Hungarians are among the most dissatisfied in the EU

According to the Eurofound, Austrians are the most content in the bloc, scoring an average of 6.5 on a scale of 1 to 10. The EU average stands at 5.8, with Austria sharing the top ranks with the Netherlands and Denmark, both scoring 6.3. At the other end of the spectrum, Hungarians scored just 5.0, alongside Estonians and Greeks, who registered even lower scores of 4.5

The survey revealed several factors influencing life satisfaction. Surprisingly, older people reported higher levels of contentment than younger generations, with individuals aged 40–54 recording the lowest scores. Employment also played a significant role, as unemployed respondents scored 0.9 points lower than their employed counterparts. Income was another defining factor, with lower-income respondents scoring 0.9 points below average, while the highest-income group scored 1.1 points higher.

Education also made a difference, with those holding tertiary qualifications scoring higher on average. Additional factors included living arrangements—those living with a partner reported greater satisfaction—while women and individuals with disabilities consistently reported lower levels of contentment

Hungarians are also among the least optimistic

The survey revealed that Hungarians are not only dissatisfied with their lives but also among the least optimistic about the future. Alongside Greece and Italy, Hungary occupied the bottom of the optimism rankings, with only 22% of respondents expressing hope for 2024. This marks a stark decline from April 2020, when 45% of Hungarians were optimistic—meaning the figure has halved in just four years.

By contrast, Ireland, Denmark, Austria and Spain topped the optimism rankings. However, the survey also noted a general decline in optimism across the EU, reflecting widespread economic and social challenges.

Inflation weighs heavily on Hungarians

The study further highlighted the financial strain faced by Hungarians, particularly low-income households, who have struggled disproportionately with the EU’s highest inflation rates. Inflation in Hungary remained stubbornly high even into early 2024, exacerbating economic pressures for many families.

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