State Secretary Projects Significant Wage Growth in Hungary by 2028

Budapest: Hungary’s state secretary for employment policy, Sándor Czomba, announced a “realistic chance” for the average gross wage to reach HUF 1 million per month by 2028, alongside a potential increase in the minimum wage to EUR 1,000 per month. Speaking on public television, Czomba emphasized the need for accelerated GDP growth and stable inflation to meet these targets.

According to About Hungary, Czomba detailed ongoing discussions between the government, employers, and unions regarding the minimum wage increase for the upcoming year and wage developments over the next three years. The government’s objective includes raising the minimum wage to 50 percent of the average wage, excluding bonuses, by 2027, which would translate to a minimum wage between HUF 370,000 and HUF 375,000 per month based on current calculations.

Czomba highlighted that achieving this wage level necessitates annual increases of 12 percent, contingent on GDP growth. He noted a consensus among stakeholders on this matter. The gover
nment forecasts GDP growth of 3-4 percent in 2025 and 4-5 percent in 2026, underpinning their optimistic wage projections.