Hungary

Radio broadcast stations

AM 32, FM 15, shortwave 0

Radios

6 million (1993 est.)

Telephone system

14,213 telex lines; automatic telephone network based on microwave radio relay system; the average waiting time for telephones is expected to drop to one year by the end of 1997 (down from over 10 years in the early 1990's); note - the former state-owned telecommunications firm MATAV - now privatized and managed by a US/German consortium - has ambitious plans to upgrade the inadequate system, including a contract with the German firm Siemens and the Swedish firm Ericsson to provide 600,000 new phone lines during 1996-98 domestic : microwave radio relay international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)

Telephones

2.16 million (1 January 1996) - there are 21.1 per 100 inhabitants, 54.1 per 100 households; mobile telephone services are used by 267,000 subscribers

Television broadcast stations

41 (Russian repeaters 8)

Televisions

4.38 million (1993 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $10.2 billion expenditures : $11 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995)

Currency

1 forint (Ft) = 100 filler

Debt - external

$27.5 billion (1996 est.)

Economic aid

recipient: ODA, $136 million (1993) note : assistance received from OECD countries and international organizations, $3,700 million (1990-93)

Economy - overview

Hungary probably had the most Western-oriented economy in East Europe before the transition to a market system began in 1990, and Budapest made good progress in the initial years of transition. The reform process slowed in 1993-94, however, in part because of the May 1994 elections and the resulting change in government. By 1994 the privatization of state firms had ground to a halt, while both the budget and current account deficits soared to unsustainable levels - about 8% and 10% of GDP, respectively. The situation improved sharply in 1995: an austerity program introduced in March reduced both deficits; and a renewed privatization effort later in the year resulted in more than $3 billion worth of sales of state firms to foreign investors - money used mostly to reduce Hungary's large foreign debt. Real GDP increased 2.9% in 1994 - following several years of steep decline - and about 1.5% in 1995 and only 0.5% in 1996. Unemployment reached 14% in early 1993 before gradually falling back to 11% in 1996. Inflation has oscillated; it reached 40% in mid-1991, dropped to 17% in early 1994, jumped back to 31% by mid-1995, and settled at 20% in 1996. Prospects for 1997 and 1998 are good compared with the situation earlier. Most forecasters expect 2% to 3% GDP growth in 1997 and slightly higher growth in 1998. Inflation and unemployment are edging down. With the government still committed to reform, both the budget and current account deficits are at IMF target levels - about 4% of GDP. Budapest also is making good progress in restructuring the pension, health, tax, education, and other systems as part of the effort to decrease the role of government. This dramatic shift in economic policy was rewarded in 1996 by the IMF, which finally signed the standby agreement Budapest had sought, and by the OECD, which welcomed Hungary as a member.

Electricity - capacity

6.98 million kW (1994)

Electricity - consumption per capita

3,200 kWh (1995 est.)

Electricity - production

31.63 billion kWh (1994)

Exchange rates

forints per US$1 - 166.100 (January 1997), 152.647 (1996), 125.681 (1995),105.160 (1994), 91.933 (1993), 78.988 (1992)

Exports

total value: $14.2 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: raw materials 39.5%, consumer goods 25.0%, agriculture and food products 21.8%, machinery and equipment 11.3%, fuels and electricity 2.4% (1995) partners : EU 63.3% (Germany 28.8%, Austria 10.0%), Eastern Europe 19.7%, Russia 10.7% (1995)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $74.7 billion (1996 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 7.3% industry : 31.9% services: 60.8% (1994)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $7,500 (1996 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

0.5% (1996 est.)

Imports

total value : $16.8 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: raw materials 42.3%, consumer goods 20.9%, machinery and equipment 20.1%, fuels and electricity 10.8%, agricultural and food products 5.9% (1995) partners: EU 61.6% (Germany 23.6%, Austria 11.9%), Eastern Europe 22.2%, Russia 14.7% (1995)

Industrial production growth rate

2% (1996 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate - consumer price index

20% (1996 est.)

Labor force

total: 6.2 million (1996) by occupation: services 58.7%, industry 34.7%, agriculture 6.6 (1996 est.)

Unemployment rate

11% (1996 est.)

Area

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

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Indiana

Climate

temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

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

Environment - current issues

an early-1996 government study identified 179 areas that suffer from air pollution, 54 areas with polluted soil, and 32 areas with polluted underground water; the study estimated clean-up costs at $350 million, but the 1996 government budget allocated only about $7 million for this purpose

Environment - international agreements

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

Geographic coordinates

47 00 N, 20 00 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

2,060 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries

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

arable land: 51% permanent crops : 2% permanent pastures: 13% forests and woodland: 19% other: 15% (1993 est.)

Location

Central Europe, northwest of Romania

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural resources

bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils

Terrain

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

Administrative divisions

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*

Constitution

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

Country name

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

Data code

HU

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Donald M. BLINKEN embassy: V. Szabadsag Ter 12, Budapest mailing address: American Embassy Budapest, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270 telephone : [36] (1) 267-4400, 269-9331

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Gyorgy BANLAKI chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730

Executive branch

chief of state: President Arpad GONCZ (since 3 August 1990; previously interim president since 2 May 1990) head of government : Prime Minister Gyula HORN (since 15 July 1994) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a four-year term; election last held 19 June 1995 (next to be held NA 1999); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president election results: Arpad GONCZ elected president; a total of 335 votes were cast by the National Assembly, Arpad GONCZ received 259; Gyula HORN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote NA

FAX

[1] (202) 966-8135 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

FAX

[36] (1) 269-9326

Flag description

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

Government type

republic

Independence

1001 (unification by King Stephen I)

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court, judges are elected by the National Assembly

Legal system

in process of revision, moving toward rule of law based on Western model

Legislative branch

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 8 and 29 May 1994 (next to be held May 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MSzP 209, SzDSz 70, MDF 37, FKgP 26, KDNP 22, FiDeSz 20, other 2

National capital

Budapest

National holiday

St. Stephen's Day (National Day), 20 August (commemorates the coronation of King Stephen in 1000 AD)

Political parties and leaders

Hungarian Democratic Forum or MDF [Sandor LEZSAK, chairman]; Independent Smallholders or FKgP [Jozsef TORGYAN, president]; Hungarian Socialist Party or MSzP [Gyula HORN, president]; Christian Democratic People's Party or KDNP [Gyorgy GICZY, president]; Federation of Young Democrats or FiDeSz [Viktor ORBAN, chairman]; Alliance of Free Democrats or SzDSz [Gabor KUNCZE, chairman]; Hungarian Democratic People's Party or MDNP [Ivan SZABO, chairman] note: the Hungarian Socialist (Communist) Workers' Party or MSzMP renounced Communism and became the Hungarian Socialist Party or MSzP in October 1989; there is still a small MMP (Communist Party); the MDNP was formed in March 1996 by breakaway members of the Hungarian Democratic Forum

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Military branches

Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard, Territorial Defense

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$550 million (1996)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.5% (1996)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 2,631,781 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males : 2,099,109 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males: 78,828 (1997 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 18% (male 924,864; female 881,728) 15-64 years: 68% (male 3,419,485; female 3,541,823) 65 years and over: 14% (male 549,091; female 915,413) (July 1997 est.)

Birth rate

10.73 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Death rate

13.67 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Ethnic groups

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

Infant mortality rate

10 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)

Languages

Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8%

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 70.48 years male : 66.06 years female: 75.13 years (1997 est.)

Literacy

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

Nationality

noun : Hungarian(s) adjective: Hungarian

Net migration rate

0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Population

10,232,404 (July 1997 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.25% (1997 est.)

Religions

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

Sex ratio

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: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (1997 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.47 children born/woman (1997 est.)

Disputes - international

Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Slovakia

Illicit drugs

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 ICELAND

Airports

78 (1994 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total : 14 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (1994 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 64 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m : 34 (1994 est.)

Highways

total: 158,633 km paved: 69,957 km (including 378 km of expressways) unpaved: 88,676 km (1995 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 11 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 51,076 GRT/67,498 DWT (1996 est.)

Pipelines

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

Ports and harbors

Budapest, Dunaujvaros

Railways

total: 7,619 km broad gauge: 35 km 1.524-m gauge standard gauge: 7,408 km 1.435-m gauge (2,216 km electrified; 1,236 km double track) narrow gauge : 176 km 0.760-m gauge (1995) note: Hungry and Austria jointly manage the cross-border standard-gauge railway between Gyor, Sopron, Ebenfurti, and Vasut, a distance of about 100 km

Waterways

1,622 km (1988)