Hungarian wage growth continues on its previous trajectory

The last month of summer saw the wage trends previously observed in the Hungarian economy continue. Gross wages rose by 8.9% on an annual basis, while net earnings rose by 9.2% (due to the 1.5-fold increase in family tax allowances).

Wage growth remained in single digits for the seventh month in a row, but can still be considered high.

Real wage growth above inflation has been hovering around 5% for the third month in a row, standing at 4.7% in August. In the public sector, this figure is 4.8%, while in the private sector it is 4%.

According to the the Hungarian Central Statistical Office's (KSH) statement, in August 2025:

• the average gross salary of full-time employees was HUF 683,300, 8.7% higher than a year earlier.
• the average net income reached HUF 472,600, which was 9.2% higher than in August 2024. The increase in average net income was significantly influenced by the higher family tax allowance introduced on July 1, 2025.
• the regular (premium, bonus, one-month special allowance excluded) gross average earnings were HUF 654,700, which is 8.1% more than in the same period of the previous year. The regular gross average earnings were HUF 650,200 in businesses, HUF 661,600 in the budget, and HUF 678,200 in the non-profit sector, increasing by 7.5%, 10.2%, and 8.2%, respectively, over the course of a year.
• real earnings rose by 4.7% alongside a 4.3% increase in consumer prices compared to the same period last year.
• the gross median income was HUF 563,400, which was 8.9% higher than a year earlier.
• the median net income reached HUF 394,300, exceeding the same period of the previous year by 10.0%.

Cover photo (for illustration purposes only): Getty Images