Even though this year is marked by rampant inflation, soaring energy prices and sharply increasing interest rates, the economic situation is set to deteriorate in 2023. According to Economy Minister Mihály Varga, the worst is yet to come for the country’s economy. A recent international survey revealed that a third of European workers see the […]

The continued plunge in Hungary’s national currency is forcing the country’s decision makers to revisit earlier policy measures as the weakening forint wreaks havoc in the economy. The central bank may be forced to resume its tightening cycle while the government has indicated it could bring forward the nation’s erm-2 accession, the waiting room of […]

Hungary may be the first European Union member state to see its funds frozen by the bloc over corruption concerns and repeated breaches of the rule of law. The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán could face the suspension of a third of Hungary’s budgetary funds if the European Commission’s proposal is accepted. The European […]

The digital economy has been a key contributor to the economic development of countries in central and southeastern Europe. As Europe tackles the combined crises triggered by the pandemic and the invasion of Ukraine, digital economy may emerge as the means to mitigate the impacts. The digital economy has historically been a key growth driver […]

The National Bank of Hungary raised borrowing costs to an 18-year high this week, taking the European Union’s highest interest rate to 11.75%. Policy makers vowed to tighten monetary conditions further, in contrast with other central banks in the region. The Monetary Policy Council of the National Bank of Hungary delivered yet another massive interest […]

Hungary’s currency, the forint, has brokern numerous negative records against the euro and the dollar in recent weeks. The trend in currency markets is similar across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) due to the war in Ukraine and the related sanctions, the forint has staged the steepest fall in the region. What could put a […]

Hungarian consumer prices rose the most since 1998 on the back of soaring food costs. Analysts believe that inflation may exceed 20% as energy subsidies fade the war in Ukraine continues unabated. Hungarian inflation accelerated at the fastest pace in almost a quarter century in July, taking a heavy toll on household’s purchasing power and […]

Skyrocketing consumer prices, the looming energy crisis and the aggressive tightening of monetary conditions point in the direction of Hungary entering recession, according to economists. The country’s GDP growth will remain feeble next year as well. Hungary’s economy faces multiple risks of which some are triggered by international developments while others relate to domestic issues. […]

Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó travelled to Moscow to negotiate more gas imports from Russia as Hungary braces for a tumultuous winter heating season. Hungary has been a vocal critic on the European Union’s embargo on Russian energy sources, saying a swift decoupling from Russian energy would undermine the country’s economy. Hungary’s foreign minister arrived […]

The Hungarian government declared an “energy emergency,” citing the war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia by the European Union as the primary reasons. Under the new system, there will be a ban on the export of fossil fuels and the system of government-imposed cap on household utility prices will be revamped. The government of […]

The Hungarian forint has been one of the weakest performing currencies worldwide amid an international selloff. Despite government reassurances that the fundamentals of the Hungarian economy are strong and sound, the forint remain under massive pressure. Diplomacy&Trade takes a look at the specific reasons behind the forint’s underperformance and how the currency’s weakness threatens the […]

The National Bank of Hungary delivered the biggest rate cut since 2008, surprising the markets with the size of the move. The monetary decision came after the forint weakened to levels never seen before. The Hungarian central bank raised the base interest rate by 185 basis points to 7.75% this week and policy makers aligned […]

Hungary’s finance minister vetoed an EU directive on a global minimum corporate tax, leaving the outgoing French EU Presidency without its crown achievement. The move is seen as yet another front in Hungary’s standoff with the bloc. Hungarian Finance Minister Mihály Varga blocked a European Union initiative to implement a global minimum corporate tax rate […]

The National Bank of Hungary surprised markets when it unexpectedly raised the key interest rate as monetary policy setters seek to put a floor under the sliding forint. In the face of double-digit inflation and massive wage increases, the central bank has to keep raising borrowing costs to keep Hungarian financial assets competitive. The National […]

Despite significant costs, achieving the climate target of zero emissions by 2050 may prove a competitive advantage for Hungary, according to a recent study by McKinsey. The analysis outlines a path that will have a clear positive impact not only on climate protection objectives, but also on economic growth, job creation, energy independence and Hungary's […]