Hungary’s population decline deepens: what’s behind the decrease?
According to the latest preliminary data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH), 6,360 children were born in August 2025, a 5.7% decrease compared to the same month last year – 386 fewer newborns. At the same time, 8,908 people died, which represents a 15% improvement compared to August 2024, yet the balance remained negative: natural population decline amounted to 2,548 people. At the end of the article, we will take a look at the factors explaining population decline in Hungary.
Between January and August, a total of 48,093 children were born, down 6.7% year-on-year. The decline was visible in almost every month, most notably in February–March (–8.6%) and April–May (–12%), according to figures published by Pénzcentrum based on KSH’s latest report.
Fertility rate continues to fall
The estimated total fertility rate for 2025 is just 1.31 children per woman, lower than the 2024 figure of 1.38. This indicator illustrates how far Hungary remains from securing natural population replacement.
According to InfoStart, demographer Zsolt Spéder noted that the fall in births is part of a global trend. Even in highly developed welfare states such as Finland and Norway, couples are having fewer children. South Korea and Taiwan have faced an extreme situation for years, with fertility rates consistently below 1: a sign of a profound demographic crisis.
While Hungary’s figure is still somewhat higher, the continuous decline is alarming, particularly given the shrinking number of women of childbearing age.
Deaths and natural population decline
In the first eight months of 2025, 82,996 people died in Hungary, 1.2% fewer than during the same period in 2024. However, the slight improvement in mortality could not offset the drop in births: natural population decline reached 34,903, which is 7.5% higher than last year.
This means that within just half a year, Hungary lost the equivalent of a medium-sized town’s population.
Fewer marriages
The number of marriages also decreased. In August, 6,370 couples tied the knot, 5.1% fewer than a year earlier. Between January and August 2025, 30,976 marriages were registered – 1,804 fewer than in the same period of 2024.
Behind the decline: More than just numbers
Hungary’s situation is not unique but part of a wider demographic crisis affecting many developed nations. Experts point to several factors: fewer women of childbearing age, lower fertility among women in relationships, and increasing social and economic uncertainty.
Beyond economics, issues such as education, healthcare, and social conditions also play a crucial role. Hungary’s healthcare system has long struggled with underfunding and shortages, particularly in obstetric care, which can discourage young couples from having children. Reports of so-called “obstetric violence” – instances of mistreatment and violations of mothers’ rights during childbirth – further contribute to women’s reluctance to give birth in Hungary, with some opting to start families abroad instead.
Young people’s outlook also offers little encouragement. The overhaul of the education system, the low prestige of the teaching profession, and international job opportunities often make emigration more attractive. For those who remain, difficulties such as high housing costs, unstable labour market conditions, and rising living expenses frequently delay or prevent family formation.
In short, Hungary’s demographic challenges are not merely biological or statistical but deeply intertwined with the country’s socioeconomic structure and the state of public services.
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August’s birth total was indeed a bit disappointing, births down 6% on 2024. July’s number had given some encouragement, being only 1% down on the previous year. Overall 2025 is heading for about 73,000 births, 22% down on the 2021 peak of 93,000. The TFR will only be down perhaps 18% on the 2021 number, reflecting the fact that the number of potential mothers is dropping each year. However it’s still the case that potential mothers are having 18% less children than they did 4 years ago. The reason remains a bit of a mystery. However, it doesn’t seem like Hungary’s “family friendly” policies are having any long lasting effect. They may be encouraging couples to have children earlier but not encouraging them to have more children overall.
The reason is simple: people’s selfishness. Why “burden” yourself with a kid when you can use that money and “freedom” to buy yet another new iPhone or go on a vacation to take pictures of with said iPhone to post on social media to get likes and approval from strangers.
Tax breaks won’t fix that. People’s finances are not the reason. Indeed, it’s clear that, generally, the better off people are, the fewer children they have. This needs a seismic shift in people’s priorities, values, and understanding of life’s purpose. It requires cooperation and support from the media and academia… – and since they are bastions of Leftism and its absurd “don’t have kids to save the planet” ideology, fat chance of that happening anytime soon!
Omg, did you just discover that Hungarians are the most selfish people of the world?
And then you will find out that Steiner himself is single, not married, does not have children, and if so, they dont want to work for Foodpanda of Wolt! because they feel their-selves better than this.
And by the end of each article, Stupid Stiener will lecture the world about having babies!!!
Try doing something useful to the world Steiner!!DD:
And Yet, the Hungarian Government is sending away with retired foreigners who are legally residing here in Hungary that spend most of their pensions here in Hungary because of the changes to the foreigners rules for non EU citizens. Cry population decline and then make situation worse.
Child-free life if perfectly fine, if one chooses so. Not everybody have to be a parent. I hope young generation does not listen to religious conservatives that demand everyone to live their lives the same way as these conservatives live. Especially for women, do not let anyone, especially not politicians, to make you feel that it is your duty to give birth and to be a mother. It is not. It is 100 % your own choice if you choose to become a mother and bear the responsibilities that come with it.
Life can be very fulfilling and meaningful without raising children. And it does not mean that you are selfish. In todays overpopulated World, it really is quite the opposite.
And another funny comment again from the usual propagandist: “Media and academia are bastions of leftism….”. In reality in Hungary, media and academia are tightly controlled by the conservative right. Maybe that’s the reason people here don’t feel like having children as the Fidesz controlled mainstream media so full of hate-speech.