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Hungary
General InformationThe Republic of Hungary is located in central Europe. The capital and largest city is Budapest. The official state language is Hungarian. The unit of currency is the forint. | |
Historical BackgroundThe region that now comprises Hungary was once part of the ancient Roman province of Pannonia. After the fall of the Roman empire it was occupied in turn by the Huns, Germans, Avars and Moravians, and since 896 by the Magyars. Since then until mid 19th century, the country was the scene of struggle for control among the Habsburgs and the Ottomans. In 1849, Hungary proclaimed its independence. In 1867, Hungary and Austria became dual monarchies under one ruler. With the end of World War I, the Hungarian Democratic Republic was proclaimed in 1918. In 1949, the People's Republic of Hungary was created with the ruling Communist party. Popular discontent mounted throughout 1956, but was suppressed by Soviet troops. In 1968, the New Economic Mechanism was introduced, and Hungary increased its trade and cultural contacts with western countries. In 1989, the government revised the Constitution to provide for a democratic multiparty system and changed the country's official name to the Republic of Hungary. | |
GovernmentThe head of state is a president elected by parliament for a five-year term. A prime minister is nominated by the party with the most seats in parliament. Upon the recommendation of the prime minister, the president appoints members of the government. The legislature is a unicameral National Assembly. It consists of 386 parliamentarians, of whom 176 are elected directly from local constituencies; 120 are elected on a proportional basis from county and metropolitan lists; and the remaining 90 are elected indirectly from national lists drawn up by the competing parties. The judicial system consists of local, county and regional courts, and the Supreme Court. Hungary is administratively divided into 19 counties plus the city of Budapest with county status. Multiparty self-governing bodies elected every four years manage local affairs. | |
PopulationIn 2006, the population of Hungary was estimated at 10 mln. An average population density is 108 persons per sq. km. Some 65 percent of the population reside in urban areas. About 90 percent of the population are ethnic Hungarians. The remainder comprises Roma (5 percent), Germans, Slovaks, Croats, Serbs, and Romanians. Hungary is predominantly a Roman Catholic country with a large Protestant minority. The Orthodox and Unitarian churches are also active. A small group of population adheres to the Jewish faith.
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EconomyAbout 59 percent of the work-force are employed in service sector. Tourism accounts for a big share of Hungary's economy. The principal crops are corn, wheat, sugar beets, barley, potatoes, and sunflower seeds. Quality vine is made of grapes grown in the Tokaj and Villany vineyards. Farming, forestry and fishing employ 7 percent of the workforce. Industry employs some 35 percent of the workforce. Leading manufactures include crude steel, rolled steel, cement, aluminum, textiles, leather footwear, chemicals, buses, and automobiles. The country's chief exports include machinery and transport equipment, consumer goods, agricultural products, chemicals, apparel, textiles, iron and steel, paprika, and wine. The leading purchasers of Hungary's exports are Germany, Italy, Austria, Russia, and the United States. The leading imports include machinery and transport equipment, crude petroleum, chemicals, metal ores, consumer goods, and agricultural products. | |
Social SystemSchooling is compulsory for all children from the age of 7 to 16. Primary education is free, and the government pays the bulk of the cost of secondary and higher education. There are public and private institutions of higher education in Hungary, including universities and technical universities. The most important universities are Loránd Eötvös University in Budapest (founded in 1635), Lajos Kossuth University in Debrecen (founded in 1912), Janus Pannonius University of Pécs (founded in 1367, refounded in 1922), Attila József University in Szeged (founded in 1872, re-founded in 1921), and the Central European University (founded in 1991). A number of colleges specialise in vocational training (including teacher training), technical education, and agriculture. Health insurance is obligatory, and in general medical treatment is free. Social insurance provides for prenatal and maternity benefits, compensation for unemployment, old age and disability pensions, and aid to orphans and widows. | |
Membership in International OrganisationsHungary is a member of the United Nations and a number of its specialised agencies (UN High Commissioner for Refugees, International Labour Organisation, UNESCO, World Health Organisation, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and International Monetary Fund), the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Central European Initiative. It is a full member of the International Organisation for Migration. Hungary is a member of the World Trade Organisation, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The country joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in 1999. In 1994, Hungary applied to join the European Union (EU) and entered into negotiations for full EU membership in 1997. In May 2004, Hungary and nine other countries joined the EU as full members. | |
Legislation on Migration and AsylumThe migration and asylum issues are regulated by the following main legal documents:
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Participation in International and Regional InitiativesHungary participates in the following international and regional initiatives in the field of asylum, migration and border management:
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