Hungary’s central bank has decided to maintain its key interest rate at 6.5%, marking the eighth consecutive month without any changes. This move comes as policymakers remain focused on combating persistent inflation expectations, despite mounting challenges for the country’s export-driven economy. The decision to hold the benchmark rate steady was in line with expectations, with […]
Consumer prices in Hungary were 4.2% higher on average in April 2025 than a year earlier, the Central Statistical Office reported this Wednesday. Compared to March, consumer prices went up by 0.2% on average. In 12 months, compared to April 2024:A price increase of 5.4% was recorded for food, within which 26.9% for eggs, 23.7% […]
Hungary’s Fiscal Council has voiced sharp concerns over the government’s 2026 draft budget, warning that it is built on overly optimistic economic forecasts and fraught with multiple financial risks. The Council pointed to low fiscal reserves, uncertainty over EU funding, and the potential impact of an intensifying US-led trade war as key vulnerabilities. The government, […]
In March 2025, consumer prices rose by 4.7% in annual terms. Compared to February, the annual price increase rate decelerated by 0.9 percentage points. Core inflation fell by percentage points and stood at 5.7%. Core inflation excluding indirect tax effects fell to 5.4%, the National Bank of Hungary (MNB) says on its website. On a […]
Hungary’s government has announced new price controls on essential food items as inflation continues to strain consumers. Economists warn that previous interventions of this kind have led to mixed results. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced this week that commercial grocers must limit their markup to no more than 10% of the wholesale price on 30 […]
Consumer prices were 5.6% higher on average in February 2025 than a year earlier. Over one month, consumer prices rose by 0.8% on average, within which food became 1.2% more expensive, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) reports. In 12 months, compared to February 2024:A price increase of 7.1% was recorded for food, within which 44.3% […]
Hungary's inflation rate surged unexpectedly in January, driven by sharp increases in fuel, food, and service costs, posing fresh challenges for monetary policy. The latest data indicates mounting price pressures, with core inflation also worsening, raising concerns over the central bank’s ability to ease interest rates in the near future. Official figures show that Hungary’s […]
Hungarian inflation surged in December, with rising fuel and food costs driving consumer prices beyond expectations. The increase presents challenges for monetary policy and has stoked concerns over perceived inflation, as sharp price hikes in key items weigh on household budgets. The Hungarian Central Statistical Office (HCSO) reported a 4.6% annual increase in consumer prices […]
Hungary's economy faces a challenging third quarter with zero growth expected and the forint at an 18-month low against the euro. This gloomy outlook could force the central bank to maintain current interest rates for an extended period. Deputy Governor Barnabás Virág of Hungary's central bank signaled a potential pause in interest-rate cuts at a […]
The Hungarian forint has dropped to its lowest level in 18 months, driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East and recent rate cuts by the National Bank of Hungary (NBH), prompting investors to pull back. Despite these challenges, the central bank has reassured markets that it will maintain a "disciplined and tight" monetary policy […]
After taking only a brief pause, the National Bank of Hungary (NBH) returned to its monetary easing path in September, cutting its key interest rate once again. The bank's latest forward guidance suggests a steady outlook on future rates, further fueling market expectations for another rate cut before the year is out. Hungary's decision to […]
Hungary’s central bank has taken a breather after a streak of 15 consecutive rate cuts, opting to leave interest rates unchanged at its latest policy meeting. However, policymakers hinted that the pause may be temporary, with room for further "cautious" rate cuts in the near future. This week, the central bank held the benchmark interest […]
Hungary's inflation rate inched up in July, surpassing the top end of the central bank's target range and narrowing the room for the continuation of its more than yearlong monetary-easing cycle. After two months of stagnation in the monthly rate of price increases, the pace of one-month inflation shows the same dynamic as the one […]
Hungary's economic landscape has shown signs of strain, with the last quarter's performance failing to meet analyst expectations and casting a shadow over the 2024 outlook. Despite previous rebounds, the nation's economy hit a snag, marking a concerning pause in its recovery trajectory. The Central Statistics Office (KSH) revealed a stagnant year-on-year output in the […]
In January 2024, inflation continued to fall at a rapid pace, the National Bank of Hungary (MNB) says in an analysis published this Friday. Consumer prices rose by 3.8% in annual terms, thus 34 months after March 2021 the price index fell back into the central bank tolerance band. Core inflation and core inflation excluding […]
