Hungary tops charts for rising family and healthcare costs: What you need to know
Household budgets in Hungary have come under increasing pressure, as new research reveals the country leads the world in rising costs for families, and healthcare costs are playing a growing role in the squeeze. Let’s break down what this means for Hungarians at home and abroad, foreign students, expats, and anyone interested in living in Hungary.
The steepest family cost increase worldwide
According to a comprehensive new study by Remitly, Hungary has experienced the largest increase in the overall cost of raising a family among all countries surveyed, with a staggering 110% rise over the past decade. This calculation takes into account annual childcare expenses, rental costs for a typical three-bedroom home, and healthcare spending.
- Current family essentials cost increase (2012–2022): 110% — the highest globally.
- Projection for 2035: If the trend continues, the cost of raising a typical family (two adults, two children) in Hungary could jump to over $26,200 yearly by 2035.
- Key driver: Rent costs in Hungary have more than doubled in ten years, significantly contributing to the overall surge.
Healthcare costs: Hungary in top 10 for growth
Hungary is ranked ninth in the world for the largest percentage increase in healthcare spending per person over the last decade, based on Remitly’s latest research.
| Rank | Country | 2012 Healthcare costs (USD) | 2022 Healthcare costs (USD) | 10-year Healthcare costs difference | Estimated Healthcare costs by 2035 |
| 1 | Lithuania | $896.94 | $1,829.66 | 103.99% | $3,166.15 |
| 2 | Estonia | $1,058.72 | $1,998.89 | 88.80% | $3,259.12 |
| 3 | Czech Republic | $1,509.78 | $2,431.08 | 61.02% | $3,507.07 |
| 4 | United States | $8,262.29 | $12,434.43 | 50.50% | $17,028.80 |
| 5 | Poland | $815.14 | $1,193.13 | 46.37% | $1,599.41 |
| 6 | Slovenia | $1,974.85 | $2,737.85 | 38.64% | $3,520.01 |
| 7 | Portugal | $1,980.02 | $2,580.76 | 30.34% | $3,164.23 |
| 8 | Germany | $4,765.68 | $6,182.34 | 29.73% | $7,552.63 |
| 9 | Hungary | $961.14 | $1,224.43 | 27.39% | $1,475.09 |
| 10 | Ireland | $5,210.36 | $6,448.02 | 23.75% | $7,596.71 |
- Healthcare cost per capita (2022): $1,224
- Projected for 2035: $1,475
- Rise over last 10 years: 27.39%
This increase in medical spending can be attributed to inflation in the cost of services, changes in public funding, or a growing turn towards private healthcare. For many families, especially those on lower or average incomes, rising healthcare costs can mean putting off or skipping needed treatment.
Why are Hungarian families feeling the pinch?
Several factors are fuelling the rapid rise in both family and healthcare costs:
- Inflation: Costs for essentials like food, housing, and medical care have all climbed sharply in recent years, with Hungary’s inflation rate remaining above the EU average.
- Housing: Rental prices have more than doubled, greatly impacting overall household budgets.
- Healthcare funding: Despite recent increases, per capita state spending on healthcare in Hungary remains lower than in most of Europe, putting more burden on individuals and families.
- Limited public funding: Hungary spends 6.2% of GDP on healthcare, well below the EU average of over 10%, further shifting financial responsibility onto households.
How does this compare globally?
- In countries like Lithuania, Estonia, and the Czech Republic, personal healthcare spending also spiked, leading to growing out-of-pocket expenses and insurance costs for families.
- In contrast, while the United States is projected to reach $17,029 per person in healthcare spending by 2035, Hungary’s overall percentage increase in total family costs outpaces every other country surveyed.
Data source: Remitly Global Family Inflation Index (2025)
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