In recent years, the structure of global migration has changed significantly: according to an analysis by the Oeconomus Economic Research Foundation on emigration, an increasing number of people are moving abroad even from developed Western economies. Amid this upheaval, Hungary is also coming increasingly into focus.
This phenomenon is driven primarily by the ongoing rise in the cost of living, the increasing prevalence of remote work, and the desire for a better quality of life, while the labor market becomes increasingly international.
A ranking based on OECD data reveals that
Hungary ranks sixth among countries where foreign nationals make the greatest contribution to the economy.
The employment rate among foreigners is 80.3%, their unemployment rate is low, and nearly 40% of them hold a college degree. According to Eurostat data, in 2024, 51.5% of immigrants from non-EU countries aged 15 to 64 were highly skilled, which is one of the highest proportions in the European Union. Among immigrants from the EU, this proportion stands at 43.3%.
The proportion of highly educated foreign nationals living in EU Member States (2024, among the 15–64 age group; from non-EU countries / from EU countries):
The cost of living is also a major draw: the cost of living in Budapest is about 30% lower than in Berlin, 63% lower than in London, and 83% lower than in New York. This makes the country particularly attractive to remote workers.
Hungary is also becoming increasingly popular among digital nomads. According to an international ranking, it was the fifth-best destination country for them worldwide in 2025. The low income tax, the favorable regulatory environment, and the “White Card” model—which offers residency with a relatively low income threshold—all contribute to this.
Budapest has developed into a particularly strong hub: the number of coworking spaces is growing, international communities are gaining prominence, and smaller networks of digital nomads have also emerged in cities outside the capital.
Budapest. Photo: Pixabay
Despite these positive trends, Hungary remains a country with significant emigration. Each year, approximately 40,000 Hungarians take jobs abroad, primarily in Austria and Germany. The main motivations are higher wages and better working conditions.
However, compared to the rest of the EU, Hungarian emigration is not exceptional:
about 4 to 5% of Hungarian citizens live abroad, placing the country in the middle of the pack. By comparison, this figure stands at 21% in Romania and about 18% in Croatia.
Moreover, the picture is increasingly balancing out: in 2025, nearly 32,000 Hungarians returned to their homeland, so that the net migration balance has turned slightly positive again after a previous deficit.
Migration balance of Hungarians; Hungarian citizens born abroad; Hungarian citizens born in Hungary who have returned to the country; Hungarian citizens who have emigrated:
Global migration is thus increasingly becoming a bidirectional and circular phenomenon. Hungary is simultaneously losing and gaining workers: while many seek better opportunities abroad, an increasing number of foreigners are coming into the country.
The long-term effects depend on the extent to which the inflow of knowledge and labor can be successfully integrated into the economy. If this is achieved, the current trend could be beneficial for Hungary not only demographically but also in terms of economic growth.
Via oeconomus.hu, Featured image: Pexels
