JETRO's survey of Japanese companies in Hungary revealed that average wage increases for 2025 will be 6.7% year-over-year. While the pace of increase has slowed with declining inflation rates, wage growth continues.
Survey Overview
- Survey period: July 18 - August 29, 2025
- Responding companies: 39 (20 manufacturing, 19 non-manufacturing)
- Survey content: Wages, talent acquisition, support systems for high inflation
Wage Increase Details
2025 Average Increase Rate: 6.7%
- Manufacturing (over 300 employees): 7.4%
- Manufacturing (300 or fewer employees): 6.1%
- Non-manufacturing: 6.9%
2024 Average Increase Rate (reference): 9.2%
- Manufacturing (over 300 employees): 11.8%
- Manufacturing (300 or fewer employees): 9.2%
- Non-manufacturing: 8.0%
Monthly Average Wages by Position (Manufacturing over 300 employees)
Gross monthly wages (1 forint ≈ 0.44 yen):
- Section Manager (department head level): 1,840,264 forints (approx. 809,716 yen)
- Engineer: 1,039,374 forints (approx. 457,325 yen)
- Sales: 892,500 forints (approx. 392,700 yen)
- Administrative: 844,645 forints (approx. 371,644 yen)
- Operator: 492,963 forints (approx. 216,904 yen)
Bonus Payments
Average payment: 1.3 months
- Manufacturing (over 300 employees): 1.2 months
- Manufacturing (300 or fewer employees): 1.1 months
- Non-manufacturing: 1.5 months
Fringe Benefits
Benefits provided by responding companies (multiple responses allowed):
- Széchenyi Card (Note): 24 companies (61.5%)
- Commuting allowance: 22 companies (56.4%)
- Cafeteria subsidy: 15 companies (38.5%)
- Cash allowance: 7 companies (17.9%)
Other fringe benefit examples:
- Group accident/life insurance
- Private health insurance
- Various training programs
- Birth/marriage congratulatory money
- Gym access
(Note) Széchenyi Card: Electronic vouchers usable at accommodations, restaurants, entertainment facilities
Future Outlook
While Hungary's inflation rate has stabilized, the labor market remains tight, and Japanese companies continue to face challenges in talent acquisition and wage increases. Companies are adopting strategies to secure and retain talent through enhanced benefits beyond wages.