Going hungry in Hungary: 1 in 6 Hungarians can’t afford meat anymore
According to the latest data from Eurostat, Hungary is falling dramatically behind in the European Union when it comes to access to quality nutrition. Compared to the EU average, twice as many Hungarians cannot afford to eat meat, fish, or a vegetarian equivalent every other day. Hungary ranks second to last among all member states.
Twice as bad as the EU average
The EU’s statistical office reported that in 2024, 8.5% of the bloc’s population could not afford to eat meat, fish, or a protein-rich substitute every two days. This shows slight improvement compared to 2023, when the figure stood at 9.5%.
In Hungary, however, the situation is far worse: 15.5% of the population is affected by this form of food deprivation, according to Economx. In practice, this means that one in six Hungarians has an incomplete diet: a figure nearly double the EU average.
Even more severe among those at risk of poverty
The problem is particularly dire for those living at or below the poverty line. Among Hungarians at risk of poverty, 37.3% cannot afford to consume meat or its equivalent every other day.
This rate is almost twice the EU average of 19.4% and is close to the worst-performing countries, Slovakia (39.8%) and Bulgaria (37.7%). At the other end of the spectrum, the issue is barely present in Cyprus (3.5%) and only affects around 5.1% of people in Ireland and Portugal.
What is considered the poverty line in Hungary?
The poverty threshold is defined as 60% of the median income. In 2022, this meant HUF 145,000 (EUR 365) per month for a single adult, or HUF 305,000 (EUR 770) for a household with two adults and two children. Those living below this level often cannot even secure the most basic protein-rich diet.
Hungary’s soaring food prices, particularly for meat, have played a key role in this crisis. While food inflation has been a global trend, fueled by rising commodity prices reported by the UN, the impact of inflation in Hungary has been especially severe.
A grim EU ranking
According to Eurostat’s list, Hungary ranks 26th out of the EU’s 27 member states, ahead of only Slovakia when considering the population as a whole.
This means Hungary’s situation is not only tragic compared to the EU average but also one of the worst in the region. The lack of access to quality nutrition not only poses serious health risks but also deepens social inequality in the long term.
Read also:
- Surprise: New study finds meat may help fight cancer
- Is it a misconception that Hungarians did not eat horse meat? Here’s what archaeologists say
Are you from Hungary or are you hungry? Ir maybe both?🤗
Where are you Micheal Steiner? Please tells us how wonderful the Fidesz government is and how these statistics must all be lies because they don’t conform with your Fidesz created fantasy world.
I know someone who’s brother passed away a few months ago near Eger and his sister said he was so skinny from lack of food that he looked like he came from a concentration camp. He could not work due to ill health and there was no government assistance.