Hungary’s population is undergoing a noticeable shift. 

At the same time, over 41,000 Hungarians left the country permanently in 2024. This raises an important question for the labour market — can the arrival of international workers and expats help balance the steady outflow of young local talent?

Who is Coming to Live in Hungary?

As of January 2025, Hungary is home to 255,443 foreign residents, many of whom have moved here for work, study, or family reasons. The majority come from Europe (around 135,000) and Asia (nearly 100,000).

The largest communities include citizens of Germany, China, Ukraine, Vietnam, Slovakia, and Romania, along with growing numbers from India, South Korea, and Türkiye. Around 3,000 Americans also currently call Hungary home.

While some of these arrivals are expats in Hungary working in management or skilled professions, others are short-stay foreign workers filling essential roles in industries with labour shortages.

Expats & Foreign Guest Workers in the Hungarian Labour Market

Roughly 40% of all foreign residents in Hungary — over 100,000 people — are part of the workforce. Among them, the biggest groups include Vietnamese (about 13,400), Ukrainians (12,000), Romanians (9,500), Chinese citizens (5,900) and Indians (5,100). Many are employed in manufacturing, logistics, construction, and service sectors, helping Hungarian companies meet ongoing staffing demands.

Meanwhile, a smaller but growing number of expats are arriving in Budapest and other cities to work in multinational firms, startups, and the tech sector, attracted by Hungary’s central location, cultural richness, and relatively affordable lifestyle.

Who is Leaving Hungary?

In 2024, 41,294 Hungarians emigrated permanently, most aged between 20 and 39 — prime years for education, career growth, and family life. The most popular destinations were Austria (22,864 people) and Germany (7,887), with others moving to the UK, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

This trend reflects the ongoing challenge of young professionals leaving Hungary to seek higher salaries, better career prospects, and improved working conditions elsewhere in Europe.

Changing Social & Work Landscape in Hungary

The simultaneous rise in foreign residents and expats in Hungary and the continued emigration of local youth are reshaping the country’s social and economic landscape. Workplaces are becoming increasingly multicultural and multilingual, and many sectors now rely on international workers to stay competitive.

At the same time, local communities feel the impact of young Hungarians settling abroad for the long term. Experts suggest that to retain more local talent, Hungary will need to improve wages, career opportunities, housing affordability, and overall working conditions, while also continuing to attract skilled expats who contribute to the country’s growth and diversity.

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