The International Monetary Fund raised its growth forecast for Hungary’s economy this year to 1.9 percent, up from 1.7 percent in April. Its forecast for next year rose to 2.1 percent from 2 percent. The revisions appeared in the IMF’s World Economic Outlook, released on a Tuesday.
Inflation and jobs
The fund lowered its inflation forecast for Hungary sharply. It now sees prices rising 1.9 percent this year, down from 3.8 percent in April. For next year it expects 2.8 percent, against 3.5 percent previously.
The outlook was less favourable for the labour market. The IMF raised its current-year unemployment forecast to 4.5 percent from 4.2 percent in April. Unemployment was 4.4 percent in 2025, the year before.
External balance and last year
The fund now expects the current account to show a deficit of 0.5 percent of GDP this year, up from 0.4 percent in April. For next year it forecasts a surplus of 0.3 percent of GDP.
Hungary’s economy grew 0.5 percent in 2025, and inflation that year averaged 4.4 percent.
Global backdrop
The IMF kept its global growth forecast for this year at 3.1 percent and raised next year’s to 3.4 percent from 3.2 percent. It raised its global inflation forecasts for both years, to 4.7 percent and 4.1 percent.
The fund also projects average oil prices of $95.74 a barrel this year and $87.39 next year.
Related: IMF raises 2026 global growth forecast to 3.1 percent, warns of downside · Hungary budget council flags risks to 2.0 percent growth forecast
Source: IMF
