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Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

13 (1999)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 17, FM 57, shortwave 3 (1998)

Radios [time series]

7.01 million (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

the telephone system has been modernized and is capable of satisfying all requests for telecommunication service domestic: the system is digitalized and highly automated; trunk services are carried by fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay; a program for fiber-optic subscriber connections was initiated in 1996; heavy use is made of mobile cellular telephones international: Hungary has fiber-optic cable connections with all neighboring countries; the international switch is in Budapest; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Inmarsat, 1 very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system of ground terminals

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

1.893 million (1995)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

1.269 million (1995)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

39 (plus several low-power stations) (1997)

Televisions [time series]

4.42 million (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle, poultry, dairy products

Budget [time series]

revenues: $13.5 billion expenditures: $15.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 forint (Ft) = 100 filler

Debt - external [time series]

$27 billion (1999)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$122.7 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Hungary continues to demonstrate strong economic growth and to work toward accession to the European Union. Over 85% of the economy has been privatized. Foreign ownership of and investment in Hungarian firms has been widespread with cumulative foreign direct investment $21 billion by 1999. Hungarian sovereign debt is now rated investment grade. GDP growth of 4% in 1999 will likely be matched or even exceeded in 2000. Inflation, while diminished, is still high at 10%. Economic reform measures include regional development, encouragement of small- and medium-size enterprises, and support of housing.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

33.317 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports [time series]

3.3 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports [time series]

3.97 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production [time series]

35.104 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 61% hydro: 1% nuclear: 38% other: 0% (1999 est.)

Exchange rates [time series]

forints per US$1 - 251.150 (January 2000), 237.146 (1999), 214.402 (1998), 186.789 (1997), 152.647 (1996), 125.681 (1995)

Exports [time series]

$22.6 billion (f.o.b., 1999)

Exports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment 51.9%, other manufactures 32.7%, agriculture and food products 10.5%, raw materials 2.9%, fuels and electricity 1.9% (1998)

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 37%, Austria 11%, Italy 6%, Netherlands 5% (1998)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $79.4 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 5% industry: 30% services: 65% (1999 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $7,800 (1999 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

4% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 24% (1993)

Imports [time series]

$25.1 billion (f.o.b., 1999)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment 46.5%, other manufactures 40.2%, fuels and electricity 6.6%, agricultural and food products 3.7%, raw materials 3.0% (1998)

Imports - partners [time series]

Germany 28%, Austria 10%, Italy 8%, Russia 7% (1998)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

6% (1999 est.)

Industries [time series]

mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

10% (1999 est.)

Labor force [time series]

4.2 million (1997)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

services 65%, industry 27%, agriculture 8% (1996)

Population below poverty line [time series]

25.3% (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

10% (1999 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 93,030 sq km land: 92,340 sq km water: 690 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Indiana

Climate [time series]

temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Tisza River 78 m highest point: Kekes 1,014 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

the approximation of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution with environmental requirements for EU accession will require large investments

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea

Geographic coordinates [time series]

47 00 N, 20 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin

Irrigated land [time series]

2,060 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 2,009 km border countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Serbia and Montenegro 151 km (all with Serbia), Slovakia 515 km, Slovenia 102 km, Ukraine 103 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 51% permanent crops: 3.6% permanent pastures: 12.4% forests and woodland: 19% other: 14% (1999)

Location [time series]

Central Europe, northwest of Romania

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural resources [time series]

bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land

Terrain [time series]

mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the Slovakian border

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 20 urban counties* (singular - megyei varos), and 1 capital city** (fovaros); Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Bekescsaba*, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Budapest**, Csongrad, Debrecen*, Dunaujvaros*, Eger*, Fejer, Gyor*, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Hodmezovasarhely*, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Kaposvar*, Kecskemet*, Komarom-Esztergom, Miskolc*, Nagykanizsa*, Nograd, Nyiregyhaza*, Pecs*, Pest, Somogy, Sopron*, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Szeged*, Szekesfehervar*, Szolnok*, Szombathely*, Tatabanya*, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Veszprem*, Zala, Zalaegerszeg*

Capital [time series]

Budapest

Constitution [time series]

18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997 amendment streamlined the judicial system

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Hungary conventional short form: Hungary local long form: Magyar Koztarsasag local short form: Magyarorszag

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Peter F. TUFO embassy: V. 1054 Szabadsag Ter 12, Budapest mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Budapest, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270 telephone: [36] (1) 475-4400, 475-4703 (after hours) FAX: [36] (1) 475-4764

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Geza JESZENSZKY chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730 FAX: [1] (202) 966-8135 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Arpad GONCZ (since 3 August 1990; previously interim president since 2 May 1990) head of government: Prime Minister Viktor ORBAN (since 6 July 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 19 June 1995 (next to be held before August 2000); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president election results: Arpad GONCZ reelected president; a total of 335 votes were cast by the National Assembly, Arpad GONCZ received 259; Viktor ORBAN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

1001 (unification by King Stephen I)

International organization participation [time series]

ABEDA, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

Constitutional Court, judges are elected by the National Assembly for nine-year terms

Legal system [time series]

rule of law based on Western model

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional and direct representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 10 and 24 May 1998 (next to be held May/June 2002) election results: percent of vote by party (5% or more of the vote required for parliamentary representation in the first round) - MSZP 32.0%, FIDESZ 28.2%, FKGP 13.8%, SZDSZ 7.9%, MIEP 5.5%, MMP 4.1%, MDF 2.8%, KDNP 2.3%, MDNP 1.5%; seats by party - MSZP 134, FIDESZ 148, FKGP 48, SZDSZ 24, MDF 17, MIEP 14, independent 1; note - the MDF won 17 single-member district seats; seating as of 1999 by party - MSZP 135, FIDESZ 146, FKGP 48, SZDSZ 24, MDF 17, MIEP 12, independents 3, and 1 empty seat to be filled in a byelection

National holiday [time series]

Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August (commemorates the coronation of King Stephen I in 1000 AD)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Alliance of Free Democrats or SZDSZ [Balint MAGYAR, chairman]; Christian Democratic People's Party or KDNP [Gyorgy GICZY, president]; Hungarian Civic Party or FIDESZ [Laszlo KOVER, chairman]; Hungarian Democratic Forum or MDF [Ibolya DAVID, chairman]; Hungarian Democratic People's Party or MDNP [Erzsebet PUSZTAI, chairman]; Hungarian Justice and Life Party or MIEP [Istvan CSURKA, chairman]; Hungarian Socialist Party or MSZP [Laszlo KOVACS, chairman]; Hungarian Workers' Party or MMP [Gyula THURMER, chairman]; Independent Smallholders or FKGP [Jozsef TORGYAN, president]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Hungary was part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed in World War I. It fell under communist rule following World War II. A revolt in 1956 and an announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact was met with massive military intervention by Moscow. In the more open GORBACHEV years, Hungary led the movement to dissolve the Warsaw Pact and steadily shifted toward multiparty democracy and a market-oriented economy. Following the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Hungary developed close political and economic ties to Western Europe. It joined NATO in 1999 and is a frontrunner in a future expansion of the EU.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Ground Forces, Air Force, Border Guard

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$732.2 million (FY99)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

1.4% (FY99)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,588,365 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,062,565 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 67,160 (2000 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 17% (male 878,661; female 834,607) 15-64 years: 68% (male 3,407,368; female 3,535,818) 65 years and over: 15% (male 548,672; female 933,718) (2000 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

9.26 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate [time series]

13.34 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Hungarian 89.9%, Roma 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%, Slovak 0.8%, Romanian 0.7%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

9.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Languages [time series]

Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8%

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 71.37 years male: 67 years female: 76.05 years (2000 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 98% (1980 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Hungarian(s) adjective: Hungarian

Net migration rate [time series]

0.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population [time series]

10,138,844 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.33% (2000 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist and other 7.5%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.25 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

ongoing Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Slovakia

Illicit drugs [time series]

major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and transit point for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamines and methamphetamines [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]

Transportation

Airports [time series]

43 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 16 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 27 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 7 (1999 est.)

Heliports [time series]

5 (1999 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 188,203 km paved: 81,680 km (including 438 km of expressways) unpaved: 106,523 km (1998 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 12,949 GRT/14,550 DWT ships by type: cargo 2 (1999 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 1,204 km; natural gas 4,387 km (1991)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Budapest, Dunaujvaros

Railways [time series]

total: 7,606 km broad gauge: 36 km 1.524-m gauge standard gauge: 7,394 km 1.435-m gauge (2,270 km electrified; 1,236 km double track) narrow gauge: 176 km 0.760-m gauge (1998) note: Hungary and Austria jointly manage the cross-border standard-gauge railway between Gyor, Sopron, Ebenfurt (Gysev railroad) a distance of about 101 km in Hungary and 65 km in Austria

Waterways [time series]

1,373 km permanently navigable (1997)