Hungary’s population continued to decline during the first half of 2026, with births once again significantly outnumbered by deaths, according to the latest preliminary figures published by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH). While both the number of births and deaths fell compared with a year earlier, the country still recorded a natural population decrease of more than 28,000 people in the first six months of the year.
Fewer births and deaths in June
According to KSH, 5,790 children were born in June 2026, down 2.6% (157 births) from June last year. During the same month, 9,167 people died, representing a 3.1% decrease (291 fewer deaths) compared with June 2025.
As a result, Hungary’s natural population decline—the difference between births and deaths—stood at 3,377 people in June, slightly lower than the 3,511 recorded in the same month a year earlier. The number of marriages, however, increased. 4,942 couples married in June, up 8.9% year-on-year.
Population fell by more than 28,000 in first half of the year
According to KSH figures, between January and June 2026, a total of 34,312 children were born, 2.0% fewer than during the same period in 2025. Over the same six months, 62,330 people died, a 4.1% decrease compared with the previous year.
Despite the lower mortality rate, deaths continued to far exceed births, resulting in a natural population decline of 28,018 people. Although still substantial, this was 6.6% lower than the 29,994 recorded during the first half of 2025.
Fertility rate remains low
The figures also show that Hungary’s total fertility rate remained largely unchanged at 1.27 children per woman, slightly below last year’s 1.28.
During the first half of the year, there were 7.3 live births and 13.3 deaths per 1,000 inhabitants. The infant mortality rate stood at 4.1 deaths per 1,000 live births, marginally higher than a year earlier.
Marriages continue to rise
Marriage numbers were one of the few positive demographic indicators. A total of 21,177 couples married between January and June, an increase of 4.4% (895 marriages) compared with the same period in 2025.
On a rolling 12-month basis, from July 2025 to June 2026, 47,477 couples married, also marking a 4.0% increase over the previous 12 months.
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Regional differences
The demographic trends varied across Hungary. Births declined in Budapest and three other regions but increased in four regions, with the strongest growth recorded in Northern Hungary. Budapest experienced the largest decline in births.
Deaths fell in every region except the Northern Great Plain, while the natural population decrease improved across all regions except Budapest. Marriage numbers increased in every region outside the capital, with Northern Hungary recording the strongest growth.
Although mortality continued to decline, the latest figures underline that Hungary’s long-term demographic challenges remain. The number of births is still well below the number of deaths, meaning the country’s population continues to shrink despite modest improvements in some indicators.
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Nothing too exciting in the data, certainly no sign of a bound-back in the births. 5 years now since the mini-boom that was seen by the pro-natalists as a sign of a baby-filled future. 7,719 births in June 2021, 5,790 in June 2026. That’s a 25% reduction. Look’s like we’re heading for about 70,000 births this year. Assuming a life-expectancy of 80 that implies a stable population of 5.6 million (assuming no net migration). Probably the population will hold up better than that, pertly due to inward migration of Hungarians from the surrounding countries.
The TFR remains about 1.3. As I’ve said before: time for a rethink.