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Shocking: Hungary’s society is dramatically distorted, lower classes surge drastically
A new large-scale study by Eötvös Loránd University researchers has revealed a shocking transformation in Hungarian society between 2021 and 2025, with the proportion of people in the lowest social strata rising sharply while the upper and middle classes contract.
According to the analysis by the university’s Social Research Institute, the share of the upper class nearly halved from 9% to 5%, while the upper middle class fell from 24% to 14%. Meanwhile, the lower strata expanded dramatically from 31% to 43% of the population.
Sociologist Imre Kovách described the shift as “unprecedented,” noting researchers “could hardly believe their eyes” at the scale of change over just four years.
Weak middle class raises concerns about stability of society
The findings suggest a growing imbalance in Hungarian society, with potential long-term consequences. A broad and stable middle class is often seen as a key counterweight to political elites and a pillar of civic life.
However, the research indicates that this stabilising force is weakening. While the lower middle class grew slightly (from 36% to 38%), it has not compensated for the sharp decline in higher-status groups.
Researchers warn that the erosion of the middle class could increase uncertainty and limit the capacity of society to support those falling behind.
‘Declassing’ trend affects even the educated
One of the most striking findings is the limited level of “bourgeoisisation”, a concept referring to autonomy, entrepreneurial mindset and civic responsibility.
Only 5% of Hungarians are considered fully “bourgeois”, while more than two-thirds of the population fall into weakly or non-bourgeois categories.
Even more concerning, a significant proportion of educated individuals appear to be slipping down the social ladder:
- 46% of university graduates
- 68–69% of secondary school graduates
are classified as weakly or non-bourgeois.
This trend suggests a form of declassing, where educational attainment no longer guarantees stable middle-class status: a development researchers say could become a source of social tension.
Social mobility masks deeper structural problems
Although some upward mobility exists, particularly among manual workers, the study highlights a simultaneous downward movement among higher-educated groups.
This “partial reshuffling” means that while some workers are improving their position, many graduates are losing ground, preventing the emergence of a strong, cohesive middle class.
Political landscape shifts alongside social changes
The research also points to significant political implications. Based on data collected in autumn 2025, the Tisza Party held a 32% share of support among the full population, ahead of Fidesz at 29%.
The opposition party led in most social strata, particularly among:
- entrepreneurs (36% vs 17%)
- politically active and well-connected groups
- labour market-integrated voters
By contrast, Fidesz retained stronger support among more system-integrated and norm-following groups, as well as older voters and residents of smaller settlements.
Notably, compared to 2021, the governing party lost its lead in four major social layers, including the upper and middle classes, HVG reported.
Uncertain voters increasingly drawn from lower strata
The composition of undecided voters has also shifted. While earlier they were more common in middle groups, by 2025, they are increasingly concentrated in lower-status segments of society.
At the same time, a separate group of “hidden voters” (individuals reluctant to disclose their political preferences) appears more socially integrated and often better educated, suggesting psychological or social pressures rather than simple disengagement.
Political scientist Andrea Szabó noted that reluctance to share political views may stem from perceived social pressure rather than direct consequences.
If you missed it:
A fragmented society with uncertain direction
Overall, the study paints a picture of a society undergoing rapid and uneven transformation. While some mobility persists, the dominant trend is downward, accompanied by growing fragmentation.
Researchers conclude that these shifts not only reshape Hungary’s social fabric but may also play a key role in redefining its political landscape in the coming years.
Cute.
And you imagine, that when pollsters have a 25% margin of error, when they asked “which of these 3 parties”, they’ll get an accurate reading when they ask “Are you upper class or middle class” instead of the answer “What do you even mean”?
‘Cause I don’t.
And if you asked me the same question I couldn’t answer it either.
Ha! Ha! Ha! I’m sure those people who are living in the lowest strata will know what to do with your post.
What does this actually mean? What do you mean by class? Is one of the problems that graduates cannot find ehat they see as graduate-level jobs? A very badly written article.
Everybody living in Hungary who is not one of the Fidesz elite blood suckers knows what’s going on. I hear it every time I return to visit in Hungary. People know how they live and how life was for them five or ten years ago. They know how much their standard of living has declined. The empty promises of a “Golden Age” and fantastic rises in living standards that Orban and his mafia party of kleptocrats have made year after year have proven to be lies and the people know it.
🤦🤥🤣🤣🤣🤣An excellent article, but an unqualified comment!
@Falland alias Mark
Evidence suggests that the rich in Hungary are getting richer, driven largely by a policy framework that favors capital accumulation and high earners over labor. The emergence of a politically connected business elite, often referred to as the System of National Cooperation (NER), has centralized wealth by consolidating control over key sectors like construction, banking, and tourism through public procurement.
This structural advantage is reinforced by a flat personal income tax system and family tax benefits that offer proportionately higher rewards to top earners, allowing them to accumulate savings and investment capital much faster than the average worker.
This wealth gap is further accelerated by market dynamics, particularly the explosive growth in real estate prices and high inflation. Asset owners have seen their net worth multiply as property values soar, while wage earners have seen their purchasing power erode due to Hungary having some of the highest inflation rates in the EU.
Consequently, while the broader economy has grown, the benefits have been unevenly distributed, creating a widening chasm where the asset-owning class sees their wealth compound while the rest of the population faces stagnation.
The methodology used in this “study” is suspect, to say the least. However, the decimation of the middle class is neither anything new nor confined to Hungary. We have been witnessing this throughout the developed world for years now.
It is a giant problem and a ticking time bomb, but it is being roundly ignored. It has nothing to do with any particular government and everything with the fact that the modern welfare state system, and the enormous bureaucracy underpinning it, are simply unsustainable. As people continue living longer, as jobs continue getting automated and/or outsourced, and as third-world parasites keep invading our countries, taxes will inevitably continue rising and, with that, the middle classes price-gouged out of existence. Cue mass riots and civil disobedience.
“They” know this, which is why they are fixing to create for us pods to live in, meal-worm diets to eat, 15-Minute Cities, C.B.D.C.s, and a universal basic income… – all secured by mandatory “vaccines” to keep us peasant docile.
The link below shows that the middle class in Germany and Austria comprises the majority of the population.
After calculating the equivalized income, the middle class must be defined. As a first step, the median income is determined from the equivalized disposable incomes. Based on the OECD’s middle class definition (2019), the middle class includes all individuals whose disposable income is between 75% and 200% of the median income in the respective country.
It follows that, since the wage level in Austria and Germany is significantly higher than in Hungary, individuals who are classified as upper middle class in Hungary would, at best, belong to the lower middle class in Austria and Germany.
Looking explicitly at the development of the middle class over time, it becomes clear that in Austria, the proportion of people belonging to the middle class has remained almost constant between 65.8% and 68.9% over the past 20 years. In Germany, the proportion has fluctuated around 64% for the past 20 years and is therefore slightly lower.
So let’s stick to the truth and not spread nonsense, Mr. Steiner, or whoever you may be.
Read more here:
https://www.wirtschaftsdienst.eu/inhalt/jahr/2022/heft/10/beitrag/die-entwicklung-der-mittelschicht-in-oesterreich-und-deutschland.html
🤥🤥🤥🤥🤦🙊🙈🙉
That last sentence about forced vaccinations is a sure giveaway for a conspiracy theory advocate. You could try and speak to a health care professional about your delusions. Help is available for you.
I beg to differ, he’s beyond help.
Only time can solve this problem.
Hungary, over the “combined” – (20) twenty years under the Leadership, the Prime Ministership of Victor Mihaly. Orban and his Fidesz Government that have been responsible of “ownership” through FAILED policies, that have resulted in, the population of Hungary to decline drastically in number, that sees Hungary a country of a growing “aged” population under 25 million people – Un-acceptable.
Hungary, the DELIVERY of Orban and his Fidesz Government that of the below 25 million “ageing” population, more deaths yearly throughout the (20) twenty years of Victor Mihaly. Orbans “reign” of POWER – his distillation of Democracy in Hungary, that deaths over the course of (20) twenty years annually have out-numbered new “little one’s” – Hungarians DNA Hungarians being born – Un-acceptable.
Hungary an “ageing” declining in number population below 25 million of which 1.2 million of the population are FACTUALLY living in POVERTY – Un-acceptable.
Victor Mihaly. Orban – the Hungary of to-day – of his “personal” Creation resembles ;
– a country of HUGH Government Debt – population DEBT.
– a country of HUGH Government Debt – population DEBT to the European Union.
– a country of NO population growth but an “ageing” declining in number population.
– a country of NO economic nor financial GROWTH.
– a country LOST of its friendships & relationships destroyed by V. M. Orban/Fidesz that are GOVERNED under DEMOCRACY.
– a country viewed in the European Union through the name V. M. Orban/Fidesz being the European Union and GLOBAL “guilty party” as the “Judas” of DEMOCRACY.
– a country “moved” by Victor Mihaly. Orban and his Fidesz Government to friendships and relationships with Putins Russia and China “governed” under Dictatorship & Communism.
National Elections April 12th – people of Hungary in SOLIDARITY in the use of People Power through their RIGHT to vote under DEMOCRACY – the OPPORTUNITY presents it-self, to “open a window” – a “little” flickering LIGHT of Hope for a FUTURE of Hungary.
It is NOW or perilous in probability it could be, that come April 12th – if the DOWNFALL – the end of Victor Mihaly. Orban and his “heinous” Fidesz Government being “users and abusers” of the people of Hungary for over (2) two decades – the name Orban & Fidesz is OUTED.
Hungary, we have been FAILED all under and through the name – Victor Mihaly. Orban and the Fidesz Government that could be written as “acts of treason” – in what after (20) twenty years the name Orban & Fidesz have DELIVERED us on the GLOBAL stage to REPRESENT.