Hungarian Population Continues to Shrink

According to preliminary data, 5,653 children were born and 10,934 people died in Hungary in February 2025, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) reported this Friday.

The number of births lessened by 9.1%, that of deaths by 0.7% and that of marriages by 14% compared to the same month of the previous year.

In February 2025:
A total of 5,653 children were born, 9.1% or 565 fewer than in February 2024. 2024 was a leap year, therefore in February 2025 vital events take place in a period that is one day shorter. The leap-day adjusted number of births in February was 5.8% lower than in the same month of the previous year.

10,934 people lost their lives, 0.7% or 81 less than a year earlier. The leap-day adjusted number of deaths in February was 2.8% higher than in the previous year.

The natural decrease was 5,281, 10% more than in February last year. Considering the leap day effect, February's natural decrease was 14% higher than in the previous year.

2,042 couples got married, which was 14% or 319 less than a year earlier. Taking into consideration the leap day effect, the decrease in the number of marriages in February was 10%.

In January-February 2025:
12,043 children were born, 842 or 6.5% less than in January–February 2024. Within this, the number of live births was 4.2% less in January and 9.1% less in February than in 2024. The leap-day adjusted number of births was 5.0% lower in January–February compared to the same period last year.

The total fertility rate was estimated at 1.34 per female, which was 1.40 a year earlier.

There were 23,886 deaths, 3.5% or 800 more than one year earlier. Compared to the same periods of the previous year, 7.3% more people died in January, and 0.7% less in February. Considering the leap day effect, the number of deaths in January-February was 5.2% higher than in the same period of the previous year.

Due to the balance of births and deaths, the natural decrease was 11,843 people, which was 16% more than the value of 10,201 for 2024. Taking into account the leap day effect the natural decrease was 18% higher than in the same period of the previous year.

3,646 couples got married, 9.7% or 391 fewer than a year earlier. 4.3% less marriages were registered in January and 14% less in February than in the corresponding months of 2024. The leap-day adjusted number of marriages was 7.9% lower in January-February than a year earlier.

There were 7.8 live births and 15.5 deaths per thousand population. The rate of live births was 0.4 per mille points lower, while that of deaths was 0.8 per mille points higher than in January–February 2024. The rate of natural decrease increased by 1.2 per mille points to 7.7 per mille. The number of infant deaths was 2.7 per thousand live births, which was 1.6 per mille points lower compared to the same period of the previous year. The marriage rate was 2.4 per mille, 0.2 per mille points lower than a year earlier.