Hungary’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between birth and death rates, excluding migration—has been negative for several decades, reflecting a demographic trend common in much of Central and Eastern Europe. As of the early 2020s, Hungary’s RNI is approximately -4 to -5 per 1,000 population, indicating more deaths than births annually. This negative RNI is similar to neighboring countries such as Slovakia and Croatia, which also experience population decline due to low fertility rates and aging populations. However, some neighbors, like Austria and Slovenia, have slightly less negative or near-zero RNIs, partly offset by higher immigration or marginally higher birth rates. In contrast, Romania and Serbia also face negative RNIs, but their rates can fluctuate more due to emigration and varying health outcomes. Overall, Hungary’s demographic situation mirrors a regional pattern of natural decrease, but the degree and contributing factors can vary among its neighbors.
| Year | Rate of Natural Increase | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | -0.192 | 10,371,878 |
| 1995 | -0.325 | 10,280,807 |
| 2000 | -0.374 | 10,147,425 |
| 2005 | -0.381 | 10,057,624 |
| 2010 | -0.324 | 9,989,465 |
| 2015 | -0.371 | 9,884,329 |
| 2020 | -0.409 | 9,756,400 |
| 2024 | -0.44 | 9,639,550 |
| 2025 | -0.45 | 9,608,199 |
| 2026 | -0.457 | 9,576,013 |
| 2030 | -0.491 | 9,439,076 |
| 2035 | -0.514 | 9,254,346 |
| 2040 | -0.525 | 9,062,397 |
| 2045 | -0.538 | 8,865,907 |
| 2050 | -0.553 | 8,664,334 |
| 2055 | -0.6 | 8,453,313 |
| 2060 | -0.647 | 8,228,207 |
| 2065 | -0.684 | 7,992,911 |
| 2070 | -0.69 | 7,756,343 |
| 2075 | -0.672 | 7,530,463 |
| 2080 | -0.637 | 7,321,786 |
| 2085 | -0.605 | 7,132,330 |
| 2090 | -0.584 | 6,957,649 |
| 2095 | -0.564 | 6,795,114 |
| 2100 | -0.55 | 6,643,257 |
Data from US Census International Database