In recent years, emigration provided an opportunity for many young Hungarians, but a growing number are now choosing to return home. According to the latest analysis by the Oeconomus Economic Research Foundation, factors like family, housing opportunities, and more predictable financial conditions are playing a role in this trend. The report also highlights the Otthon Start Program, which may ease the transition for some young returnees.
Returning home and statistical trends
As Index reports, Hungary’s 2004 accession to the European Union opened the door for citizens to work abroad more freely. In the following years, hundreds of thousands of Hungarians moved abroad for varying periods, primarily in search of job opportunities, education, or higher income. According to Eurostat data, between 2005 and 2024, the number of people born in Hungary but living elsewhere grew by over 180,000, bringing the total number of Hungarians living abroad to over 500,000.
Recently, however, there’s been a noticeable shift: since 2010, the number of returnees has steadily increased, with nearly 29,000 people coming back to Hungary in 2024 alone. This trend impacts not only individual lives but could also have significant implications for Hungary’s labour market and demographics.
Emigration in the region
Emigration levels vary significantly across countries. Analyses show that in Romania, Croatia, and Bulgaria, more than one-fifth of the population lives abroad permanently, far exceeding the EU average. In contrast, Hungary’s numbers are more moderate, with around 5.6% of the population living abroad long-term. This places Hungary among the countries with lower emigration rates in the region, similar to the levels seen in the Czech Republic and Slovenia. While not a massive phenomenon, emigration is still noteworthy in Hungary. Interestingly, since 2018, more people have been returning to Hungary from the United Kingdom than are leaving for it.
Top reasons for returning
According to the Oeconomus Foundation’s analysis, there are three main reasons people move back: family, housing, and financial security. The research notes that many prefer to raise their children in Hungary, where the cultural environment and social connections are more familiar. Housing security is also a key factor: owning a home offers long-term stability, unlike foreign rentals that often consume a large share of income. The Otthon Start Program may support this homeownership goal by offering discounted loans, and it is available under certain conditions to those returning from abroad. However, the report stresses that the program is not a guaranteed solution but one of several factors that can facilitate the return home.
Housing costs and the weight of the decision
International data clearly show that housing costs are significantly higher in major Western European cities. In London, for example, rent can consume 70–75% of a person’s net income, while in Munich, the price of an average apartment can exceed the equivalent of 200 million forints. In comparison, Budapest has more moderate housing costs, and Hungary’s homeownership rate is one of the highest in Europe: nine out of ten people live in their own homes.
This can offer a more stable environment over the long term, a factor prompting many to move back. While emigration remains a part of Hungary’s social dynamics, the past few years have shown a growing trend of return migration, shaped by both economic factors and personal ties.
Read also:
- Austrian town imposes big change on the road, impacting commuters from Hungary
- Austria’s population would plummet without migrants: Hungarians among top newcomers
- This is what Hungarian migrants experience in Austria
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Vienna has been rated the best place to live for years- i was shocked to learn only 20% own where they live. Its much more expensive. The media never mention it and like most of europe imagration is out control. You could say has been repressed for 50 years. While the west flourished.
Another fun fact – people in the US fled to the big cities because pay was much higher.- things are changing – people are leaving many are leaving many of the major cities.
The opportunities in Hungary is off the charts- even in left wing budapest that doesnt have clue to what future holds or what makes it great. sorry kids Orban is the most admired leader in Europe including by the most powerful people in the US and has been a leader the longest in the EU that the is working hard to end it.
Yeah, they realized Western Europe is going down the crapper. The people are getting poorer and less safe, due to illegal immigration from the third world, while simultaneously lacking any hope, any vision for the future, any confidence in their countries or in themselves…
Great Britain, Germany, France, Spain… – these are not the places to have a happy life in, let alone raise your children.
going back to hungary is a total downgrade. Economics is going downhill, salaries are a joke and even if fidesz loses next year, it will take long time to fix the poor conditions this country is now. Maybe west countries are not a good place now, but other places like poland, and even Bulgaria currently have better quality life and balance than orbanistan