survey

Powerful findings: Hungary’s diplomacy shines in global survey

PM Viktor Orbán Joe Biden NATO - diplomacy

The Lowy Institute regularly shares its Global Diplomacy Index, with Hungary creeping higher and higher on the list each passing year. In 2024, the Orbán cabinet’s diplomatic network expansion was so astounding that our country reached the 20th position on the list, preceded only by wealthier countries.

“How do nations project influence? Among the various forms of national power — economic, military and technological — diplomacy has been one of the most undercounted, and thus often overlooked, levers of influence”, the Lowy Institute shared in the foreword of their newest Global Diplomacy Index.

The institute aims to map the world’s most significant diplomatic networks every second year and present their findings. “The 2024 release of the Global Diplomacy Index visualises the diplomatic networks of 66 countries and territories in Asia, the Group of 20 (G20), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)”, they wrote.

Is Hungarian diplomacy on the rise?

Concerning Hungary’s diplomatic network expansion, the institute added the following remark: “Several other countries have grown their networks substantially since 2021. Czechia, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Saudi Arabia each added eight new posts; Hungary and New Zealand both added seven; and Colombia and Pakistan both added six”.

In 2016, Hungary occupied the 30th place in the Global Diplomacy Index with just 104 posts. However, by 2024, Hungary ascended to the 20th position with a total of 140 posts, a clear demonstration of the country’s diplomatic network enhancement. Hungary’s position on the list is surpassed only by wealthier nations. Additionally, only Switzerland boasts a smaller population than Hungary (8.7 million compared to 10 million). It is worth noting a discrepancy in the institute’s population data, as Hungary’s population is below 10 million. As we reported in THIS article, the latest estimation stood at 9.58 million at the end of 2023.

Orbán dominates headlines

In the field of global diplomacy, Hungary’s significance remains a subject of widespread discussion, with experts consistently acknowledging Prime Minister Orbán’s pivotal role in shaping the country’s diplomatic stance. Orbán’s assertive actions and strategic vetoes have amplified Hungary’s diplomatic footprint in the world of politics, which surpasses that of many comparable nations. For instance, while the name of the incumbent Romanian president may elude the consciousness of Washington or Beijing, Orbán’s influence resonates globally, evident even in the discourse surrounding former President Trump’s electoral campaign.

Furthermore, recent data underscores Orbán’s enduring prominence, with media coverage of his policies eclipsing that of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This trend persists despite Meloni’s current prominence as a key figure within the European Union, given the constraints posed by Macron’s presidential term limits and Germany’s internal challenges. Meloni’s recent collaboration with Orbán in securing unanimous EU support for Ukraine exemplifies her burgeoning role, yet Orbán’s enduring visibility remains unchallenged.

Nevertheless, Orbán’s political and diplomatic manoeuvres are not without controversy. The prolonged obstruction of Sweden’s NATO accession by the Orbán cabinet, spanning nearly two years, risks compromising Hungary’s standing within the military alliance. Additionally, Orbán’s scepticism towards the EU’s assistance to Ukraine, advocating for peace negotiations over military intervention, has strained relations with key allies such as the USA and Germany.

Speculation abounds regarding Orbán’s geopolitical allegiances, with some voices suggesting a closer alignment with Putin’s Russia rather than traditional partners such as Biden or NATO. Orbán’s government, hopeful for a Trump victory in the elections, anticipates a potential reset in US-Hungary relations, potentially mitigating critical scrutiny.

For further insights, the Lowy Institute’s Global Diplomacy Index offers comprehensive analysis HERE.

Read also:

  • Former Fidesz ally: PM’s wife holds secret power, Orbán family operates Hungary as a corporation – Read more HERE
  • Orbán on Navalny: Chauvinist does not deserve respect in the Hungarian Parliament – Details in THIS article

Hungarian Wizz Air receives bad news: panic over losing thousands of passengers

Wizz Air passengers Budapest Airport jet fuel

A recent survey by Which? reveals that, for the second year running, Wizz Air has earned the unenviable title of the worst airline according to British travellers. Struggling with engine failures, the company now faces the prospect of further loss of passengers following this disheartening news. Responding to the findings, the UK managing director of Wizz Air shared their perspective, which we share in this article.

The Independent has dedicated a long article to dissecting Wizz Air’s disappointing standing in the United Kingdom, delving into the insights provided by the Which? survey. In essence, the Hungarian airline finds itself at the bottom of the rankings primarily due to dissatisfaction with its customer service and perceived lack of value for money, particularly concerning short-haul flights.

Hungarian airline in trouble

Which? conducted a comprehensive survey encompassing 10,775 flights, seeking passengers’ opinions on various aspects such as customer service, value for money, seat comfort and dining options. UK travellers voiced complaints against the Hungarian budget carrier for frequent delays and poor customer service, with one passenger expressing frustration at the difficulty of communication when seeking assistance.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the airline received a mere one-star rating for customer service, translating to a dismal 44% satisfaction index, trailing behind Ryanair at 47%, Iberia at 49% and Vueling at 53%. However, Wizz Air’s underperformance extends beyond customer service, with below par ratings across other categories, including value for money, despite its positioning as a budget carrier offering competitive fares.

Meanwhile, Jet2 emerged as the frontrunner in the survey, boasting a five-star rating for customer service and an impressive 80% overall satisfaction rating.

Wizz Air plane
Photo: FB/Wizz Air

Wizz Air strikes back

“Air fares have soared in recent years, and the bare minimum passengers should expect in return for their hard-earned cash is a reliable service, with friendly, easy-to-access customer support when they are let down”, Rory Boland, travel editor at Which, asserted.

The budget airline has contested the survey’s methodology, dismissing the sample group’s results as unrepresentative.

Marion Geoffroy, UK managing director at Wizz Air UK, countered, said “We conduct customer satisfaction surveys across our network, and hundreds of thousands of passengers have said they are satisfied with the service we provide. Our results show our customer satisfaction has improved year-on-year and is significantly higher than this report suggests”.

Geoffroy emphasised Wizz Air’s adherence to Civil Aviation Authority regulations and asserted that their performance ranks among the best in the United Kingdom.

Read also:

  • Wizz Air swallowed its passengers’ money, even failed to inform them – Read more HERE
  • Wizz Air closes and suspends flights to popular holiday destinations

Budapest among Europe’s top destinations for a relaxing spa break

Széchenyi baths in Budapest hungarian tourism

In 2022, 190 million domestic wellness holidays were booked across Europe. On top of that over the past year Google searches for “spa break” have increased by +145%, but where is the best destination for a relaxing break?

Belgium is first

Online travel company weloveholidays has taken a closer look and uncovered the best cities in Europe for a spa and wellness trip. The index factors in the number of spas, saunas, massage parlours and yoga studios in each city, as well as the average reviews and the number of 5-star reviews. A ranking order was determined by crunching the numbers to award each city a total score out of 13.

The city of Spa in Belgium ranks first, with a total score of 10.28 out of 13. Located conveniently in between Brussels and Cologne (Germany), the city is known for its rich mineral waters and offers an impressive selection of 161 spas and 160 massage parlours.

Paris follows in second with a total score of 7.55. You can wind down in one of 29 saunas after a session in one of the 156 yoga studios. Ranking third is Naples in Italy with a total score of 6.76.

Europe’s Top 15 relaxing cities and Budapest is one of them

 

Rank City/Town Spas Saunas Massage Parlours Yoga Studios Total Score
1 Spa, Belgium 161 126 160 148 10.28
2 Paris, France 148 29 150 156 7.55
3 Naples, Italy 122 5 60 28 6.76
4 Zurich, Switzerland 36 14 93 123 6.60
5 Budapest, Hungary 93 7 81 154 6.45
6 Berlin, Germany 42 35 118 186 6.44
7 Lisbon, Portugal 93 11 61 63 5.95
8 Warsaw, Poland 43 12 70 158 5.89
9 Istanbul, Turkey 95 12 65 82 5.84
10 Lyon, France 68 10 61 122 5.63
11 Hamburg, Germany 40 33 42 180 5.32
12 Munich, Germany 26 11 62 157 5.25
13 Cologne, Germany 30 10 39 157 5.02
14 Amsterdam, Netherlands 52 15 97 109 5.00
15 Porto, Portugal 55 4 35 40 4.99

Four German cities also rank in the top 15, including Berlin in sixth with 24 five-star-rated massage parlours out of all 118 found in the city.

Porto ranks 15th with 55 spas to choose from, which are the best-reviewed spas overall with an average Google review score of 4.77.

Dr Jan Kuklinski, general manager at weloveholidays comments: “A holiday abroad is the ideal opportunity to relax and switch off from a hectic everyday routine, but switching off completely can often be easier said than done.

When departing on holiday, we understand that holidaymakers will want to make the most of their time and explore, but it’s important to also allow yourself time to unwind and a good way of doing this is by booking a time dedicated.”

To find out more about the research, please click HERE.

Read also:

  • Check out the 4 cheapest thermal baths in Budapest HERE
  • Prices may skyrocket soon in baths in Hungary – HERE is why

The Economist: Budapest tops list for most unaffordable rental prices!

Based on The Economist’s recently coined Carrie Bradshaw index, Budapest emerges as the priciest European city for solo flat rentals.

According to Qubit, the Carrie Bradshaw index, introduced by The Economist in 2023 and inspired by the iconic character from the famous Sex and the City series, assesses the affordability of single occupancy flats.

In 2023, The Economist assessed the real estate landscape of the USA, and this year, they turned their attention to the European market, unveiling some startling findings.

Their analysis spanned from Ankara to Warsaw and included 35 European cities. The Economist asserted that no one should pay more than 30% of their pre-tax income to rent an average one-bedroom flat.

To facilitate comparisons, the paper converted income figures to USD. London and Geneva emerged as the two most expensive European cities, demanding a minimum annual income of USD 95,000 to secure the rental of an average one-bedroom flat. Conversely, at the other end of the spectrum lies the Turkish capital, Ankara, where a modest USD 18,000 annually is sufficient for a one-bedroom flat without compromising on essentials.

Budapest and several other CEE region cities deemed unaffordable

However, prices and incomes differ in Europe, which prompted the authors at The Economist to devise the Bradshaw scale. This adjustment factors in average wages relative to renters’ wages, with the wage being tied to the workplace location rather than residence. The Economist relied on open-source official data throughout this process.

The implications are rather gloomy concerning Budapest and Hungary. The Hungarian capital is at the top of The Economist’s latest index, signifying that individuals in Budapest must allocate the highest proportion of their yearly or monthly income towards rent. Consequently, Budapest stands out as the most unaffordable city for solo occupants who do not own an apartment.

Trailing behind the Hungarian capital are Prague and Lisbon. Within the CEE region, Zagreb, Bratislava, Sofia, Bucharest, Warsaw and Ljubljana all share the burden of hefty rental prices. Limited to Central and Eastern Europe, only Berlin and Vienna offer some relief to renters with their affordability.

The Economist underscores that the average wage falls short by half of what is required, which might be another contributing factor why tens of thousands of Hungarians seek work abroad. Notably, a record number of Hungarians have found employment in Austria, a trend covered in our previous article.

Read also:

  • Trend change: rental prices rise again in Hungary – Read more HERE
  • Mini Dubai to rewrite Budapest property market: what should we expect? – Details in THIS article

Budapest is the world’s second most affordable city for office workers

Hungary Budapest Danube Chain Bridge

While hybrid working has become the norm, a gradual return to the office is underway. Yet, some workers still cherish the classic five-day office setup—a clear boundary between work and home life. But which cities in the world are the most affordable for office workers?

To find out, Business Name Generator has conducted a new study, analysing 40 global cities, looking at metrics such as commute costs and the cost of a coffee. The team has also provided some top tips for returning to the office full-time.

Budapest named the second most affordable city in the world for office workers

Rank

City

Country

Cost of a coffee (£)

Commute costs (£)

1

Rome

Italy

£1.34

£30.70

2

Budapest

Hungary

£1.92

£22.17

3

Barcelona

Spain

£1.97

£21.68

4

Lisbon

Portugal

£1.66

£35.09

5

Milan

Italy

£1.69

£34.21

6

Tokyo

Japan

£1.98

£22.88

7

Sao Paulo

Brazil

£1.62

£39.79

8

Madrid

Spain

£1.75

£35.41

9

Bangkok

Thailand

£1.94

£29.56

10

Istanbul

Turkey

£1.95

£33.11

Key findings from the study:

  • Budapest, Hungary, is named the second most affordable global city for office workers, with people benefiting from low commuting costs, £22.17 per month.

  • Budapest comes right after Rome, Italy, named the most affordable city in the world for office workers, with a travel pass costing £30.70 per month and a coffee only £1.34, the cheapest of the ranking.

  • On the other hand, London, UK, is the most expensive city in the world for office workers, with a travel pass costing £180.69 per month, six times more expensive than in Rome.

More information can be found in the press release below and via the blog post HERE.

New study: Budapest among the best choices for a quick Valentine’s gateway

budapest couple
Looking for a quick Valentine’s getaway? Study reveals Budapest has some of the lowest Airbnb prices! 
Using sources such as TripAdvisor and AirDNA, the team at OLBG have created the European Nightlife Index, and ranked the best party capitals in Europe based on hotel prices, safety scores, the cost of domestic beer, the number of bars and nightclubs, taxi prices, and the number of casinos in each city.
You can review the research HERE.
Top 5 cities with the lowest Airbnb prices:

Rank

City

Country

Average Price for Airbnb per Night GBP (£)

Average Price for Airbnb per Night EUR (€)

1

Warsaw

Poland

£65.07

€74.32

2

Istanbul

Turkey

£66.76

€76.25

3

Bratislava

Slovakia

£68.56

€78.30

4

Krakow

Poland

£72.97

€83.34

5

Budapest

Hungary

£78.80

€89.90
Top 5 cities with the highest Airbnb prices:

Rank

City

GBP (£)

EUR (€)

1

Amsterdam

£207.94

€180.60

2

Paris

£205.49

€187.70

3

London

£187.50

€193.24

4

Venice

£182.03

€194.16

5

Edinburgh

£181.90

€198.80
Warsaw has the cheapest Airbnb prices in Europe, costing just over £65 (€74) per night. Depending on the location and the time of your stay, some Airbnbs are available for less than €30 per night.
On the other hand, Amsterdam is the most expensive city to stay at with Airbnb prices averaging just over £207 (€237) per night.
Further insights from the study:
  • Oslo is home to the most expensive beer, with a pint costing an average of £7.41 (€8.54). Valencia has the cheapest beer, with a pint costing an average of £1.91 (€2.20).
  • Stockholm is crowned the worst city in Europe for nightlife with a nightlife score of 2.28/10. A night out in the Swedish capital will also come at a cost with an average beer costing £6.01 (€6.92) per drink.

  • Manchester takes the top spot with the most bars and nightclubs, at just over 55 per 100,000 people. Manchester has 218 bars and nightclubs, the 14th-highest total on the list. Its high number of bars and nightclubs means there is something for everyone to enjoy, whether that is a traditional pub, cocktail bar or unique venue.

Please see the full research again here and I have created a Dropbox folder of images here.

New survey shows that Hungarians are fearfully poor compared to other EU citizens

New survey shows that Hungarians are fearfully poor compared to other EU citizens

Only Romanians, Bulgarians and Greeks are poorer than Hungarians, based on a new survey published recently. That comes after the Hungarian government’s many success statements concerning beating inflation, restarting Hungary’s economy or attracting foreign investments to Hungary. The survey says that financial inequalities are low in Hungarym but almost every Hungarian is much poorer than the average European.

Despite urban legends, income differences in Hungary are not significant: the Hungarian society is poor. That is what Egyensúly Intézet (Balance Institute) said based on their latest survey.

According to 24.hu, 2023 was a catastrophic year for Hungary because of the record-high inflation, the fall in consumption and the technical recession of the Hungarian economy. Even so, government-close media outlets regularly wrote about successes and victories. Márton Nagy, Hungary’s economy minister, said that 2024 will be a happier and more successful year than 2023 was.

However, the government often talks about numbers that are in their favour. Those are inflation (which is decreasing), real wages (increasing) and the employment rate in Hungary, which is very high. Employment is so high that Hungary needs hundreds of thousands of guest workers to keep the economy alive and work in the factories and plants of Eastern investors.

But nobody talks about another crucial factor: how many Hungarians can have a comfortable life with their income. Egyensúly Intézet researched the answer, but it will not make you happy.

Could you live your life with less than EUR 650/month income?

According to their recently published poverty research, Hungarians having an income of EUR 650 per month or less can live with difficulties. Those having a monthly income between EUR 650 and 910 can have an average life. However, Hungarians need EIR 1,560 or more for to be well-off. But only very few earn that much.

Based on the survey, 3% of Hungarians do not have an income, and 47% get less than EUR 650 per month. That is 50% altogether. Another 24% can live an average life with an income between EUR 650 and 910.

Tamás Boros, the institute’s director, said income differences in Hungary are like in a Scandinavian state: not considerable. Every segment of the Hungarian society is poorer than their European counterparts. The only exceptions are Greece, Romania and Bulgaria.

For example, 25% of the people the survey asked would not be able to pay a HUF 100,000 (EUR 260) extra expenditure. 35% of the Hungarians struggle to pay utilities. 34% of people cannot eat meat or fish every second day. 25% of the Hungarian households can barely make ends meet each month, while 67% struggle doing so.

The rate of poor people in Hungary is somewhere between 1/3rd and 1/4th.

Egyensúly Institute said the Hungarian government would not start programs focusing on helping poor people because they believe the general economic growth would make everybody richer.

But data shows that despite the economic growth between 2013 and 2019, European countries could advance more than Hungary. After 2020, the crisis hit Hungarians hard, and poverty increased significantly.

Read also:

  • Shocking ranking: Hungary is one of the poorest European countries? – Read more HERE
  • Shocking! So many Hungarians can’t afford meat and fish – Details in THIS article

Hungary is one of the best countries for digital nomads in 2024

Hungary Budapest Danube Chain Bridge

Choosing which European country to work and live in can be hard given the amount of choice, but Holiday Cars website is here to make your life a little easier.

Based on their rankings and data taken from the OECD, they have compiled a list of the best places to appeal to digital nomads, using the following seven categories, with the maximum score set at 100:

  • Cost of Living
  • Rent Index
  • Restaurant Price Index
  • Quality of Life
  • Language Difficulty
  • Average Temperature (°C)
  • Visa and Residency Requirements

Holiday Cars compiled that information and came up with an overall score for each country based on suitability for remote work– so without further ado, here is their results of the best 10 places for digital nomads in Europe for 2024:

Rank Score Country Recommended cities
1 88 Romania Bucharest, Timișoara, Sibiu
2 76 Portugal Faro, Lisbon, Porto
3 75 Spain Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia
4 74 Albania Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia
5 73 Bulgaria Sofia, Varna, Plovdiv
6 73 Montenegro Podgorica, Kotor, Ulcinj.
7 73 Hungary Debrecen, Budapest, Szeged
8 72 Poland Warsaw, Krakow, Gdańsk
9 72 Latvia Riga, Liepāja, Jūrmala
10 71 Lithuania Vilnius, Kaunas, Šiauliai

 

To check out the best 20 countries for digital nomads, click HERE.

Read also:

  • HERE are the night trains from Budapest to European cities and the Adriatic
  • THIS European city is now the largest base of Wizz Air

Fidesz MEP: National Consultation indicates Hungarians’ support for peace

Hungarian MEP Tamás Deutsch fidesz tisza

The government’s recent National Consultation survey has “clearly shown that Hungarians are for peace and they do not support the pro-war position of Brussels and the dollar left”, Tamás Deutsch, MEP of ruling Fidesz, said in a video message released on Thursday.

Deutsch said Hungary had been the only country in Europe where “voters were allowed to give their opinion and indicate if they supported Brussels’s continued financing of the war in the neighbourhood”. “Their will is clear: Hungarians want peace rather than war . they won’t support plans to give Ukraine another 50 billion euros that the community does not have,” he added.

Read also:

The MEP said respondents in the survey had expressed a “firm stance” concerning Ukraine’s possible European Union accession: they think the preconditions have not been met, “since we are talking about a country at war, with its population and borders undefined.” In addition, he said, financing developments in Ukraine to close the gap with the bloc would “bring Europe’s national economies to their knees”.

Shocking EU survey: Budapest citizens do not feel safe after dark

Based on a recently published survey of the European Commission, Budapest is not among the places in Europe where people feel safe to walk home on the streets after dark. That is surprising if we consider how many times the Hungarian government communicates that Hungary is a much safer place than Western and Northern Europe, where illegal migrants cause serious security problems.

According to turizmus.com, the European Commission found that, on average, seven out of ten Europeans feel safe when walking home on the streets of their city after dark. Copenhagen is the safest city in that regard, while Rome is one of the least safe ones.

82% of the citizens think they can go home after dark without any problems in the Danish capital, Oviedo (Spain), and Ljubljana (the capital of Slovenia). Meanwhile, that rate is only 38% in Rome. That may mean only young men and women in good health would choose to walk home on the street of the Italian capital after dark.

Safety is low in Sofia, Athens, Ostrava, Istanbul, Liége, Napoli, and Marseille. In Miskolc, Northeastern Hungary, only 48% of the locals would walk home after dark.

In Budapest, that rate is significantly higher, 60%. However, that is way below the European average. In 2019, that rate was 67%.

Read also:

  • The most crime-ridden areas of Hungary – Read more HERE
  • MAP shows most burglary-ridden Budapest districts, Hungarian towns – Details in THIS article

Tens of thousands of Hungarians live in this safe heaven

This may be surprising since the Hungarian government is proud that they do not let illegal migrants into the country. Furthermore, they regularly communicate that in Western and Northern Europe, so-called no-go zones were born, so those cities are perilous, especially after dark. That is because, according to them, migrants do not respect the rules of the place or the country.

However, even in Paris, Vienna or Munich, 74-80% of the people would feel safe walking home after dark.

Interestingly, Bucharest is in the same category as Budapest. However, in Kolozsvár (Cluj Napoca) in Transylvania, more than 80% of the locals would not be scared to walk home alone after sunset. That result is the best in the Carpathian Basin. According to the 2021 census, more than 33 thousand Hungarians live in Kolozsvár, “the capital of Transylvania”.

The most dangerous places in Europe – considering the data of the European Commission – are in Italy, the Balkans and the Carpathian Basin.

Transparency International’s shocking finding about corruption in Hungary

orbán coronavirus government

According to the latest report of Transparency International, Hungary is the most corrupt country in the European Union consecutively for the second year.

Transparency International shares the corruption perceptions index each year. They published their Corruption Perception Index (CPI) yesterday. According to the paper, Hungary stands in the last position in the European Union, preceded by even Romania or Bulgaria.

Hungary’s score is 42: 100 signifies a “clean” government, while 0 a highly corrupt one. In the case of Denmark, topping the list, the score is 90. The 42 category includes China, Cuba, Moldova, North Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, and even Bahrain. Meanwhile, Timor-Leste, Senegal, Oman or Ghana precede Hungary.

Concerning the Central and Eastern European region, Romania’s score is 46, while Bulgaria stands at 45. What’s more, Sofia could advance on the list compared to last year. In the European Union, Denmark, Finland and Sweden top the list.

Read also:

  • Corrupt anti-Hungarian mayor escapes to Hungary – Read more HERE
  • One of the richest Hungarians gave a fortune to PM Orbán’s son-in-law

That means Hungary is the most corrupt country in the EU again. Furthermore, its score (42) did not change compared to 2022.

Hungary acquired its best position on the list in 2007, but there has been a downfall ever since. In 2012, Hungary was the EU’s 9th most corrupt country. In 2020, Hungary was the most corrupt country in the EU with Romania and Bulgaria, hvg.hu wrote. In 2022, Hungary “overtook” every EU member country, and the situation did not change in 2023.

You may check out the TI 2023 CPI HERE.

New survey: Hungary among the world’s most stressful countries

Budapest Danube

Hungary is ranked 6th for the most stressed country in the world.

The team at William Russell have updated their 2022 ranking of the most stressed cities and countries for 2023. The study looks at factors such as city cleanliness, financial stress, LGBTQ+ safety and suicide rates, to reveal the world’s most stressed countries.

You can view the full research HERE.

The most stressed countries in the world: 

Rank

Country

LGBTQ+ Safety Rating

Suicide Rates per 100,000

Est Monthly Living Costs (Single Person)

Cleanliness

Air Pollution

Noise and Light Pollution

Quality of Green Spaces and Parks

Current Health Expenditure Per Capita (£)

Stress Score

1

South Korea

92

21.16

£845.70

62.93

68.67

50.36

60.5

£3,770

8.02

2

United States

292

14.51

£951.80

60.66

28.03

46.56

70.97

£10,359

7.29

3

Belgium

343

13.93

£787.30

46.3

45.39

54.93

63.19

£5,445

7.12

4

France

338

9.65

£800.50

48.74

35.5

53.38

60.99

£5,376

6.63

5

Italy

169

4.33

£721.40

45.15

50.54

48.89

53.1

£3,540

6.56

6

Hungary

136

11.77

£548.10

50.58

50.41

45.64

58.31

£2,343

6.11

6

Chile

307

8.04

£530.80

35.91

76.77

60.26

39.6

£2,227

6.11

8

Greece

239

3.62

£653.30

40.08

46.81

47.58

35.21

£2,488

5.90

9

Türkiye

40

2.34

£409.80

50

62.22

54.28

43.79

£1,508

5.83

10

Japan

96

12.24

£664.70

74.16

33.41

44.17

65.03

£4,332

5.77

  • South Korea is the world’s most stressful country to live in, with a stress score of 8.02. South Korea also came in first place last year, scoring even higher this year, up from 6.74 out of 10 in 2022. The suicide rate in South Korea is the highest out of all OECD countries, and suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in the country.

  • The United States came in second place, with a stress score of 7.29. The USA has moved up from third place to second in our ranking from last year. The country ranks higher than most for noise and light pollution. The estimated cost of living is also notably high at £951.80, showing an increase of 35% since 2022.

  • Belgium came third, with a score of 7.12. Belgium moved up from fourth place in 2022 to third place this year. With a noise and light pollution score of 54.93, a rise of 0.13 since last year, it’s no surprise Belgium takes third place. Noise pollution is so bad in the capital Brussels that it knocks an estimated 8 months off the life expectancy of its residents.

Further Study Insights:

  • Mumbai is the world’s most stressed city, knocking Cairo off the top spot from 2022.

  • Portugal is the least stressed country in 2023, rising from the middle of the ranking last year.

  • Oklahoma is 2023’s most stressed state, rising from 15th place in 2022.

  • Washington ranks as the USA’s least stressed state overall in 2023, rising from third place last year.

Read also:

  • Magnificent Art Nouveau palace in Budapest to be restored to its former glory – Read more and check out the visuals HERE
  • New duty free shop opened at Budapest Airport

Hungary 3rd best country for expat employment in the world

Expats living in Hungary share their favourite Hungarian words 5
Hungary is the 3rd best country for expat employment in the world, with the Manufacturing trade employing more expats than in any other industry in the country.
The research comes from the experts at William Russell, who ranked over 30 countries to determine where expats have the biggest impact on their local economy.
You can view the full Expat Economy Index HERE.
The top countries with the highest expat employment rate

Rank

Country

Foreign-born

Top Employment Sector

1

New Zealand

80.8%

Wholesale and retail trade

2

Poland

80.4%

Manufacturing

3

Hungary

80.3%

Manufacturing

4

Czech Republic

79.8%

Manufacturing

5

Portugal

76.9%

Manufacturing

6

United Kingdom

75.5%

Wholesale and retail trade

7

Switzerland

75.2%

Manufacturing

8

Australia

74.2%

Wholesale and retail trade
New Zealand tops the list with an expat employment rate of 80.8%, even higher than native-born individuals’ employment rate (77.2%). Its top employment sector is the wholesale and retail trade.
Poland is next for expat employment, with a foreign-born rate of 80.4%, and manufacturing as its highest employment sector. The tertiary education rate is also high for expats, at 59.6%, hinting at a well-educated expat population.
Hungary is the third best country for expat employment, with a high rate of 80.3%, and manufacturing as its top-rated sector.
Further findings:

  • 6 of the top 8 countries saw a higher employment rate amongst expats than native-born residents. The only countries where this wasn’t the case were Switzerland and Australia.

  • New Zealand also had the lowest expat unemployment rate at 3.2%, once again lower than the rate for native-born individuals (4.3%).

  • The manufacturing industry employs more expats than any other industry, with over 105 MILLION expats employed globally.

You can view the full research HERE.
Read also:
  • Classy British chain opened its first shop at Budapest Airport – Read more HERE
  • Hungary’s popular Hagymatikum bath complex extended and will open this spring – PHOTOS, details HERE

Too many Hungarians think that Orbán will lead Hungary out of the EU

Hungarians European Union EU presidency

Young Hungarians who think that PM Viktor Orbán will lead Hungary out of the European Union are in majority in Hungary, based on the latest survey of the IDEA Institute.

According to telex.hu, IDEA was curious about what Hungarians think Orbán’s policies would mean concerning Hungary’s EU membership. There are only a few issues in Hungary supported by a national consensus, but the country’s EU membership is one of them.

The current survey was conducted before Orbán vetoed the EU budget’s modification, which aimed to provide extra financial support for Ukraine. We wrote about that HERE.

44% of the Hungarian adults believed that Orbán’s policies would lead Hungary away from the EU. More women (48%) believe so than men (41%).

Meanwhile, 54% of the young Hungarians (below 30) believe that Orbán will lead Hungary out of the EU.

Interestingly, Fidesz and Socialist voters do not believe in a Huxit, while the majority of all other party supporters think Huxit is realistic.

The margin of error was ±3-4%.

Read also:

  • Wealthiest Hungarian, university professor: Huxit possible, we have 5-10 years – Read more HERE
  • World’s richest Hungarian shares when Huxit is most probable – Details in THIS article

Here is their relevant FB post:

Would Hungarians risk drinking and driving on New Year’s Eve?

refusing alcohol

As the countdown to New Year’s Eve begins, an important question arises: would Hungarians be willing to risk drinking and driving as they welcome the new year?

Surveying public sentiment

Hungary’s strict zero-tolerance policy on drink-driving sets it apart from several European counterparts. With the Ministry of Construction and Transport contemplating a Highway Code review and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) exploring preventative measures, understanding public sentiments becomes crucial.

To gauge the pulse of the Hungarian population on drink-driving regulations, a survey commissioned by Totalcar and conducted by Pulse Research presented respondents with four options. The choices ranged from supporting the existing zero tolerance policy to adopting more lenient regulations, punishing drunk drivers only in the event of an accident, or remaining undecided.

Demographic variances: Gender, age, and education

1. Gender disparities: Women’s stricter stance

Does gender play a role in the willingness to risk drink-driving? The survey reveals a stark contrast, with nearly eight in ten women advocating for maintaining the current total ban, while just under two-thirds of men support this stringent approach.

2. Age dynamics: Unwavering consensus across generations

Are there generational differences in risk perception? Despite some openness among those in their twenties and older to a limit of 0.5 parts per thousand, the majority across all age groups favored preserving the total ban on drink-driving.

3. Educational influences: Minor variances

Does education influence the willingness to take risks? The survey found that those with primary education were marginally more inclined to penalise drink drivers only in the event of an accident, with no significant differences for other response options across varying educational levels.

4. Communal living preferences: Strong advocacy for zero tolerance

Do living environments shape risk tolerance? Nearly 80 percent of commune residents expressed staunch support for the existing zero tolerance policy, while residents in the capital and in county seats exhibited greater openness to leniency.

5. Driving license status: Marginal disparities

Does possessing a driving license influence the willingness to risk drink-driving? Surprisingly, the survey revealed only marginal disparities, with a slightly higher percentage of those without a driving license supporting zero tolerance.

Unveiling a unified front or potential risk-taking tendencies?

The Totalcar and Pulzus Research survey paints a nuanced picture, revealing a largely unified front for zero tolerance, but with some demographic nuances. All in all, understanding these public sentiments is imperative for shaping effective and widely accepted regulations in Hungary. This is particularly crucial during festive occasions where the temptation to take risks may be heightened.

Read also:

Hungarian companies need sustainable, renewable and alternative energy sources

Most Hungarian companies see an increasing need for sustainable, renewable and alternative energy sources amid the current challenging economic environment, though often intentions and actions were generally grossly mismatched, according to a survey by K and H Bank.

Fully 97 percent either unambiguously expressed support for sustainable energy or did so with some qualifications, according to the results of the survey released on Friday.

Levente Suba, the bank’s head of sustainability, said that whereas companies were more and more committed to environmental sustainability on paper, in practice they were woefully falling behind, noting that a mere half a percent purchased green energy, even though this would be the best way to cut their carbon footprint.

Use of renewable energy sources actually fell among the surveyed companies, as did various activities aimed at protecting the environment, with dwindling interest in energy saving, thermal insulation, and the development of environmentally conscious products. The only real positive for the environment was that companies consumed less and less paper, he said.

Meanwhile, more and more companies see sustainability as a difficulty rather than an opportunity in the current economic environment, Suba said. Raising financing was the biggest hurdle to making the transition to sustainable operations, he added.

K and H carried out its phone survey of 360 medium-sized and large companies between Oct 9 and 31.

Read also:

  • Legal procedure may launch against Hungary next summer – Read more HERE
  • Hungary’s budget in serious trouble: EUR 2.62 billion missing

Featured image: illustration

Hungary in world top considering the importance of expats in economy

Expats living in Hungary share their favourite Hungarian words 5
New data has revealed which countries around the world see the biggest impact on their local economy as a result of their expat population with Hungary coming 6th. 
The research comes from the experts at William Russell, who ranked over 30 countries on factors such as employment rates, further education rates and financial contributions to the economy.
You can view the full Expat Economy Index HERE.
Where do expats contribute the most?
The below table shows the top ten countries where expats contribute the most to their local economy. A score above 1 in the revenue per capita ratio indicates that the economic contributions from foreign-born residents are higher than native residents.

Rank

Country

Employment rate

Unemployment rate

Tertiary education rate

Revenue per capita ratio

Economy contribution score

1

New Zealand

80.8%

3.2%

53.1%

–

9.31

2

Poland

80.4%

5.1%

59.6%

–

9.01

3

United Kingdom

75.5%

4.4%

68.4%

1.01

8.98

4

Israel

77.9%

4.6%

57.7%

–

8.68

5

Australia

74.2%

5.3%

59.7%

0.97

8.07

6

Hungary

80.3%

3.4%

39.0%

–

7.96

7

Czech Republic

79.8%

3.3%

35.2%

0.97

7.33

8

Portugal

76.9%

7.0%

36.4%

1.17

7.17

9

Luxembourg

72.8%

5.9%

52.8%

0.97

7.16

9

Republic of Ireland

71.8%

7.5%

55.5%

0.99

7.16
Further Findings:
  • With the highest employment rate for expats, New Zealand was ranked as the top country where the expat community is crucial to the local economy. They were closely followed by Poland which had a similarly high employment rate and the UK.
  • The research found only three countries where the expat community contributed more revenue per capita to the economy than native-born residents. These were Portugal, Switzerland and the UK where expats were found to contribute 17%, 1,% and 1% more respectively.

  • Canada had the highest rate of expats who had pursued further education (69.7%), however missed out on a top 10 spot due to their higher unemployment rate.

Read also:

  • Schengen in serious trouble: strict control prolonged at Hungarian border again – Read more HERE
  • Hungary struggles at the bottom in Europe’s happiness ranking

Think-tank: Hungary is the voice of Europe

PM Viktor Orbán in power

European citizens’ views on key issues chime with the standpoints of the Hungarian government, according to a survey by the Századvég Foundation.

“Hungary is the voice of Europe,” Áron Hidvégi, the think-tank’s deputy chief told an event at which the results of the research were presented and discussed on Thursday.

Fully 71 percent of Europeans agreed on the need for a rapid ceasefire in Ukraine and almost all rejected the idea of Europe sending soldiers to fight there, the survey found. With the exception of respondents in Norway, most believed that Europe was on the losing as regards sanctions against Russia is concerned, and two-thirds rejected tougher action against China.

Bence Tuzson, the justice minister, said the results showed that “the European elite and society think fundamentally differently”.

He called it a “problem” that the poles of European power were changing, with the European Commission increasingly subsuming the powers of the European Council and starting to behave like a government. This was leading to the disintegration of the bloc, he added.

He said the government was guided solely by the national interest, while in the majority of the member states ideological pressure was “so strong that the national interest is suppressed”.

The survey was carried out in 27 EU member states, as well as in the United Kingdom, Norway and Switzerland, with thousands of people interviewed in each country.

Read also:

  • Survey shows Hungarians do not want Ukraine to join the EU
  • Survey: Hungarians against importing THIS Ukrainian product