Hungary’s population drops below key threshold as births hit 14-year low

Hungary’s population has fallen below 9.5 million for the first time in decades, as births declined sharply in 2025 and the country’s natural population loss widened further, according to preliminary estimates from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH).

Last year, just 72,000 children were born, 7.1% fewer than in 2024: a drop of more than 5,500 births in a single year. At the same time, 124,200 people died, meaning deaths continued to significantly outnumber births.

As a result, Hungary recorded a natural population decrease of 52,200 people, 4.5% worse than the year before. Even though mortality figures improved slightly, the falling number of newborns proved decisive, pushing the country’s demographic decline deeper.

Fertility rate sinks to lowest level in 14 years

Perhaps the most worrying indicator is the continued fall in fertility.

According to data, the total fertility rate dropped to 1.31 children per woman, down from 1.39 a year earlier: the lowest level in the past 14 years and far below the 2.1 needed for long-term population stability.

Birth numbers fell throughout the year. The sharpest declines were recorded between January and May (–8.9%) and August and November (–8.2%), with December showing a smaller but still notable 4.9% decrease.

On average, Hungary registered 7.6 live births and 13.1 deaths per 1,000 inhabitants in 2025.

Deaths ease, but not enough to offset losses

There was some improvement on the mortality side.

Although more people died in the first half of the year, deaths dropped significantly in the second half, resulting in an overall 2.6% annual decrease compared to 2024.