Over half a million Hungarians gone: The educated youth fleeing a country they no longer believe in

Hungary is experiencing unprecedented levels of emigration, particularly among its younger, better-educated population. Recent data and analyses reveal that hundreds of thousands of Hungarians have left for mainly Western European countries. This trend, which has accelerated in the past few years, poses significant demographic and economic challenges for Hungary and has become a focal point in domestic political debate.

How many have left?

According to 444.hu, the latest figures from Hungary’s Central Statistical Office (KSH) show that a record 41,300 Hungarians emigrated in 2024, surpassing previous highs and marking the largest annual outflow since detailed records began in 2010.

Over the 15 years of the current Fidesz government (2010–2025), a total of 367,515 Hungarians officially left the country.

However, according to VálaszOnline, this number likely underestimates the true scale, as foreign statistics often record nearly twice as many new arrivals from Hungary as Hungarian authorities do departures.

The Demográfiai portré 2024 estimates the number of Hungarians living abroad at around 546,000 in European Union countries, the UK, Switzerland, and Norway, based on official registrations. This figure does not include those in North America, Israel, or elsewhere, nor does it account for the many who retain a Hungarian address while living abroad. Some estimates, including those considering temporary and unregistered migrants, put the total number of Hungarian emigrants even higher*—up to 637,000 as of 2017, or roughly 6.6% of the population at that time.

(*Papp et al.: The Diasporisation and Transnationalism of New Hungarian Migrants and the Related Potentials of Hungarian Diaspora Policy, doi: 10.54667/ceemr.2025.05)

Destination countries

The most popular destinations for Hungarian emigrants are:

Austria: Over 124,000 Hungarians have moved here since 2010, with migration to Austria reaching an all-time high in 2023, according to XPatLoop. More than 16,500 Hungarians moved to Austria in 2023 alone, more than doubling the pre-2020 figures.
Germany: Approximately 104,000 Hungarians have emigrated to Germany since 2010, with a 20% increase in 2023 compared to the previous year.
United Kingdom: Nearly 53,000 Hungarians have relocated to the UK since 2010, though numbers have declined since Brexit.
Netherlands and Switzerland: Over 86,000 Hungarians have chosen these and other Western European countries as their new homes since 2010.

Demographic impact

Emigration has had a pronounced effect on Hungary’s working-age population. By 2023, 6.8% of Hungarians aged 15–64 were living abroad, up from 1.8% in 2010, VálaszOnline writes. Among the critical 25–49 age group, the proportion living abroad has soared to 11.2%—meaning over one in ten of Hungary’s best-educated, most economically active citizens now reside elsewhere in Europe.

Why are Hungarians leaving?

The primary drivers of emigration are economic: persistent wage gaps with Western Europe, limited job opportunities, and the impact of inflation and economic crises. However, other factors are increasingly significant:

Education: The introduction of tuition fees at Hungarian universities and government pressure on academic institutions have pushed many students to seek free or higher-quality education abroad. Countries like Austria and the Netherlands, with their tuition-free or English-language university programmes, have become especially attractive.
Work environment: Many cite poor working conditions, lack of career prospects, and dissatisfaction with the domestic political climate as reasons for leaving.
Family and children: Some families emigrate to provide better educational opportunities for their children or to escape perceived shortcomings in the Hungarian education system.

Return migration and new trends

While emigration continues to rise, there is also a notable trend of return migration. In recent years, 20,000–24,000 Hungarians have returned annually, often motivated by family reasons or changes in personal circumstances. However, the outflow still far exceeds the inflow, and the loss of young, skilled workers remains a pressing concern.

Conclusion

Hungarian emigration to Western Europe is at record levels, with over half a million citizens now living abroad—many of them young, skilled, and seeking better prospects. This ongoing exodus is reshaping Hungary’s demographic and economic landscape, fueling debate about the country’s future and the policies needed to stem the tide.

Sources: 444.hu, KSH, Válasz Online, XpatLoop, Demográfiai Portré, Papp et al.

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