Where do Hungary’s wages stand in the European Union?
Hungary’s wage growth has been among the fastest in the European Union in recent years, yet average salaries in the country remain near the bottom of the EU rankings. As the latest data shows, while Hungarian workers are earning more than ever before, significant disparities persist compared to Western and Northern Europe—both in nominal terms and in real purchasing power.
How much do Hungarians earn?
According to Eurostat, the average annual full-time adjusted salary in Hungary was EUR 16,900 in 2023, placing it second-to-last among the 26 EU countries surveyed—just ahead of Bulgaria and nearly tied with Greece. According to Euronews, this translates to an average gross monthly salary of roughly EUR 1,400, far below the EU average of EUR 3,155. Recent figures from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office indicate that gross average wages continued to rise in 2025, reaching HUF 714,400 (EUR 1,769) per month in March—an 8.5% year-on-year increase, though this marks the slowest growth since early 2023.
Regional and occupational differences
Salaries in Budapest are notably higher than the national average, with net monthly earnings in the capital at HUF 413,000 (EUR 1,023) compared to the national net average of HUF 334,920 (EUR 830) in 2022. The highest-paying jobs are typically in top management and IT: Chief Executive Officers can earn over HUF 2.2 million (EUR 5,450) per month, while software developers and IT architects also command above-average wages. The minimum wage, however, remains low by European standards, at HUF 290,800 (EUR 720) per month for full-time workers in 2025.
How does Hungary compare in Europe?
Hungary’s average salary is less than half the EU average and dramatically lower than in Western and Northern European countries. For example, Luxembourg leads the EU with an average annual salary of EUR 81,100, followed by Denmark (EUR 67,600) and Ireland (EUR 58,700). Even within Central Europe, Hungary trails behind: Poland’s average salary is just above EUR 1,500 per month, while Austria and Germany offer more than EUR 4,000.
Purchasing power: The gap narrows, but remains
When adjusting for purchasing power standards (PPS)—which accounts for cost of living differences—the gap between Hungary and wealthier EU countries narrows, but does not disappear, according to Euronews’ report. In PPS, Hungarian salaries are still among the lowest in the EU, with only Bulgaria and Slovakia ranking lower. The highest PPS-adjusted salaries remain in Luxembourg, Belgium, and Denmark, while Hungary’s purchasing power lags behind the EU average.
Rapid wage growth, but challenges remain
Hungary has seen some of the fastest wage growth in the EU, with average salaries rising by over 9% in early 2025. However, this rapid increase is partly a function of Hungary’s historically low wage base and recent high inflation. While the country is catching up, significant differences in productivity, economic structure, and labour market institutions continue to shape wage disparities across Europe.
Read more about salaries in Hungary HERE.
Read also:
- Shocking: Half of the employed Hungarians take home lower net wages than EUR 948/month
- Hungary outperforms Czechia and Slovakia in fresh EU wages ranking
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