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Economy of Hungary vs Poland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Hungary has a GDP of $223B compared to $918B for Poland, ranking 55/197 and 21/197 by economy size, respectively.

Hungary has $164B in government debt (73.5% of GDP), compared to $507B (55.3% of GDP) in Poland.

Hungary vs Poland GDP by year

Hungary
Poland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Hungary Poland
2024 $222,722,738,926 $917,767,106,147
2023 $213,240,316,635 $812,451,193,396
2022 $177,002,580,544 $695,607,470,875
2021 $183,282,685,440 $689,170,230,665
2020 $158,468,487,754 $605,914,237,904
2019 $164,936,682,034 $602,683,770,145
2018 $161,184,691,014 $594,616,687,350
2017 $143,335,098,992 $528,356,676,667
2016 $128,983,560,865 $473,259,583,970
2015 $125,244,126,623 $480,054,118,583
2014 $141,128,696,412 $542,134,167,179
2013 $135,646,053,779 $518,179,836,405
2012 $128,470,269,690 $498,148,649,703
2011 $141,712,804,954 $527,848,543,023
2010 $131,898,737,241 $478,111,630,684
2009 $130,807,441,076 $440,891,472,247
2008 $158,228,265,916 $535,612,030,672
2007 $140,123,326,896 $429,715,132,138
2006 $115,604,111,412 $345,897,630,736
2005 $113,098,237,571 $306,999,913,151
2004 $104,015,363,080 $256,268,656,145
2003 $85,190,469,121 $218,561,225,998
2002 $67,636,468,625 $199,694,463,256
2001 $53,800,068,066 $191,823,200,371
2000 $47,275,954,429 $172,953,527,033
1999 $49,160,204,397 $170,704,452,715
1998 $48,784,412,624 $175,282,269,667
1997 $47,398,564,799 $159,893,964,917
1996 $46,833,767,124 $160,813,026,223
1995 $46,577,614,589 $142,838,527,115
1994 $43,307,949,890 $110,803,635,288
1993 $40,256,233,360 $96,043,157,273
1992 $38,857,339,125 $94,337,050,693
1991 $34,867,307,353 $85,500,935,935
1990 $34,478,360,679 $65,977,748,211
1989 $30,422,508,938 -
1988 $29,799,838,597 -
1987 $27,232,016,527 -
1986 $24,778,163,812 -
1985 $21,510,643,750 -
1984 $21,242,726,264 -
1983 $21,910,365,258 -
1982 $24,141,667,188 -
1981 $23,705,883,892 -
1980 $23,116,977,148 -
1979 $19,959,731,325 -
1978 $17,286,744,154 -
1977 $14,783,674,055 -
1976 $13,235,612,079 -
1975 $11,420,392,515 -
1974 $10,016,338,179 -
1973 $9,138,292,402 -
1972 $7,379,313,742 -
1971 $6,291,568,221 -
1970 $5,780,929,203 -
1969 $5,429,812,387 -
1968 $4,886,222,555 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1968–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/hungary/poland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Hungary vs Poland by year

Hungary
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Hungary Poland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $23,292 $48,552 $25,104 $51,263
2023 $22,231 $46,592 $22,145 $48,473
2022 $18,428 $44,366 $18,891 $46,778
2021 $19,031 $38,887 $18,636 $41,060
2020 $16,387 $35,584 $16,151 $37,089
2019 $17,013 $35,627 $15,875 $35,882
2018 $16,605 $32,258 $15,658 $32,345
2017 $14,736 $29,728 $13,913 $30,170
2016 $13,216 $28,179 $12,464 $28,360
2015 $12,783 $26,938 $12,638 $26,988
2014 $14,353 $25,796 $14,262 $25,460
2013 $13,739 $24,592 $13,622 $24,434
2012 $12,950 $23,205 $13,087 $23,728
2011 $14,211 $22,992 $13,868 $22,809
2010 $13,190 $21,691 $12,568 $20,991
2009 $13,051 $20,691 $11,556 $19,300
2008 $15,763 $20,709 $14,049 $18,372
2007 $13,935 $19,089 $11,273 $16,833
2006 $11,478 $18,362 $9,069 $15,205
2005 $11,212 $17,091 $8,044 $13,936
2004 $10,291 $16,251 $6,712 $13,413
2003 $8,410 $15,460 $5,721 $12,329
2002 $6,658 $14,532 $5,223 $11,841
2001 $5,281 $13,223 $5,015 $11,175
2000 $4,630 $11,872 $4,521 $10,721
1999 $4,802 $10,892 $4,416 $10,081
1998 $4,752 $10,415 $4,534 $9,521
1997 $4,606 $9,846 $4,137 $8,967
1996 $4,542 $9,388 $4,164 $8,310
1995 $4,509 $9,222 $3,701 $7,715
1994 $4,187 $8,888 $2,875 $7,040
1993 $3,887 $8,441 $2,497 $6,560
1992 $3,747 $8,284 $2,459 $6,193
1991 $3,361 $8,352 $2,236 $5,925
1990 $3,324 $9,169 $1,731 $6,185
1989 $2,902 - - -
1988 $2,812 - - -
1987 $2,566 - - -
1986 $2,331 - - -
1985 $2,020 - - -
1984 $1,991 - - -
1983 $2,050 - - -
1982 $2,255 - - -
1981 $2,213 - - -
1980 $2,158 - - -
1979 $1,865 - - -
1978 $1,618 - - -
1977 $1,388 - - -
1976 $1,249 - - -
1975 $1,083 - - -
1974 $956 - - -
1973 $876 - - -
1972 $710 - - -
1971 $607 - - -
1970 $559 - - -
1969 $527 - - -
1968 $476 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1968–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/hungary/poland | CC BY

Hungary's GDP per capita is $23,292, ranking 55/197, compared to $25,104 in Poland, ranking 48/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Hungary ranks 48th at $48,552, while Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263.

Economic indicators

Hungary Poland
Gross domestic product
$223B
2024
$918B
2024
GDP rank
55/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP growth
0.56%
2023-2024
3.03%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$23,292
2024
$25,104
2024
GDP per capita rank
55/197
2024
48/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$48,552
2024
$51,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
48/197
2024
43/197
2024
Government debt
$164B
2024
$507B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
73.5%
2024
55.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$17,109
2024
$13,874
2024
Government debt per person rank
37/185
2024
41/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,996
2026
$20,736
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$41.5B
2024
$197B
2024
Number of millionaires
24,692
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
4
2025
10
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.4%
2022
22.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.9%
2024
49.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.7%
2023-2024
3.78%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.47%
2024
2.81%
2024
Population
9475525
35806942

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Hungary
Spending

Debt
Poland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Hungary Poland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.9% 73.5% 49.4% 55.3%
2023 49.2% 73% 46.9% 49.5%
2022 48.7% 73.9% 43.2% 48.8%
2021 48.1% 76.2% 43.6% 53%
2020 51% 78.7% 47.7% 56.6%
2019 45.8% 65% 41.4% 45.2%
2018 45.9% 68.8% 41% 48.2%
2017 46.6% 72% 41.1% 50.4%
2016 46.7% 74.6% 41.1% 54.1%
2015 50.4% 75.7% 41.5% 51.1%
2014 50% 76.5% 42.7% 51.1%
2013 50.1% 77.2% 43.2% 56.9%
2012 49.2% 78.4% 43.2% 54.5%
2011 49.1% 80.5% 44.1% 54.8%
2010 48.9% 80.2% 46% 53.7%
2009 50.7% 78.2% 44.9% 49.7%
2008 48.8% 71.8% 44% 46.6%
2007 49.9% 65.6% 42.8% 44.4%
2006 51.4% 64.5% 44.3% 47.1%
2005 49.4% 60.6% 44.1% 46.5%
2004 48.8% 58.9% 43.3% 44.9%
2003 49.2% 58.2% 45.5% 46.4%
2002 51% 55.6% 45.1% 41.6%
2001 47.2% 52.2% 44.7% 37.2%
2000 47.3% 55.6% 43.1% 36.4%
1999 48.9% 60.3% 42.5% 39.4%
1998 50.7% 60.4% 44% 38.7%
1997 49.5% 62.2% 46.1% 42.7%
1996 50.9% 71.2% 50.7% 43.2%
1995 55% 83.9% 47.5% 48.7%
1994 - 86.2% - 64.3%
1993 - 87.2% - 83.9%
1992 - 76.5% - 81.9%
1991 - 74.2% - 76.9%
1990 - 63.7% - 89.7%
1989 - 70.7% - -
1988 - - - -
1987 - - - -
1986 - - - -
1985 - - - -
1984 - - - -
1983 - - - -
1982 - - - -
1981 - - - -
1980 - - - -
1979 - - 35.6% -
1978 - - 35.8% -
1977 - - 35.6% -
1976 - - 34.8% -
1975 - - 34.1% -
1974 - - 28.6% -
1973 - - 24.5% -
1972 - - 24.1% -
1971 - - 24.1% -
1970 - - 25.8% -
1969 - - 26.3% -
1968 - - 27.3% -
1967 - - 29.6% -
1966 - - 31.7% -
1965 - - 31.8% -
1964 - - 33.5% -
1963 - - 33.3% -
1962 - - 43% -
1961 - - 42.8% -
1960 - - 39.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/hungary/poland | CC BY

In 2024, Hungary's government spending was $104B, accounting for 46.9% of its GDP, while Poland spent $453B, or 49.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 73.5% in Hungary and 55.3% in Poland, ranking 49/185 and 95/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Hungary

Poland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Hungary Poland
2024 -4.92% -6.59%
2023 -6.75% -5.27%
2022 -6.17% -3.44%
2021 -7.11% -1.75%
2020 -7.49% -6.85%
2019 -2.02% -0.73%
2018 -2.05% -0.24%
2017 -2.45% -1.49%
2016 -1.79% -2.38%
2015 -2% -2.59%
2014 -2.77% -3.66%
2013 -2.6% -4.25%
2012 -2.33% -3.8%
2011 -5.22% -4.97%
2010 -4.44% -7.43%
2009 -4.76% -7.24%
2008 -3.78% -3.6%
2007 -5.09% -1.88%
2006 -9.27% -3.53%
2005 -7.79% -3.93%
2004 -6.6% -4.99%
2003 -7.19% -6.02%
2002 -8.79% -4.8%
2001 -4% -4.73%
2000 -3.04% -4%
1999 -5.27% -2.3%
1998 -7.41% -4.25%
1997 -5.54% -4.61%
1996 -4.36% -4.84%
1995 -8.57% -4.39%
1994 - -
1993 - -
1992 - -
1991 - -
1990 - -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 -0.17% -
1942 0.31% -
1941 0.2% -
1940 -0.07% -
1939 0.19% -
1938 -0.11% -
1937 -0.01% -
1936 0.08% -
1935 0.03% -
1934 0.04% -
1933 -0.03% -
1932 -0.22% -
1931 -0.32% -
1930 -0.26% -
1929 0.02% -
1928 0.12% -
1927 0.15% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1927–1943, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/hungary/poland | CC BY

In 2024, Hungary's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $10.9B, equivalent to 4.92% of GDP. This compares to Poland's deficit of $60.4B, or 6.59% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Hungary recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Poland ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Hungary posted an annual deficit equal to 5.05% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.02% of GDP for Poland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Hungary

Poland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Hungary Poland
2024 3.7% 3.78%
2023 17.1% 11.5%
2022 14.6% 14.4%
2021 5.11% 5.06%
2020 3.33% 3.37%
2019 3.34% 2.23%
2018 2.85% 1.81%
2017 2.35% 2.08%
2016 0.39% -0.66%
2015 -0.06% -0.87%
2014 -0.23% 0.05%
2013 1.73% 0.99%
2012 5.65% 3.56%
2011 3.93% 4.24%
2010 4.86% 2.58%
2009 4.21% 3.8%
2008 6.04% 4.16%
2007 7.96% 2.46%
2006 3.93% 1.28%
2005 3.56% 2.18%
2004 6.74% 3.38%
2003 4.66% 0.68%
2002 5.27% 1.91%
2001 9.12% 5.41%
2000 9.8% 9.9%
1999 10% 7.15%
1998 14.2% 11.6%
1997 18.3% 14.9%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/hungary/poland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Hungary has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.16%, compared with 4.39% in Poland. In 2024, inflation was 3.7% in Hungary and 3.78% in Poland.

Top exports between countries

Hungary
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $3.1B
Machinery & equipment $2.9B
Transport & tourism services $1.11B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $745M
Metals $598M
Textiles & consumer goods $565M
Raw materials & minerals $459M
Wood & paper products $208M
Business & finance services $167M
Animal & marine products $133M
Poland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.13B
Chemicals & pharma $1.6B
Metals $1.28B
Textiles & consumer goods $1.13B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.05B
Raw materials & minerals $412M
Animal & marine products $357M
Wood & paper products $324M
Raw agricultural goods $154M
Miscellaneous $51M

Balance of trade

Hungary Poland
Current account balance
$3.52B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
36/190
2024
40/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.58%
2024
+0.3%
2024
Goods imports
$130B
2024
$367B
2024
Goods exports
$129B
2024
$361B
2024
Service imports
$27.9B
2024
$74.9B
2024
Service exports
$38.9B
2024
$118B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.1%
2024
48.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.4%
2024
52.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Hungary Poland
Economic freedom 62.5 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 86/197 46/197
Property rights 67.3 71.8
Government integrity 44 60.7
Judicial effectiveness 61.9 62.5
Tax burden 85.1 72.7
Government spending 30.2 35.1
Fiscal health 32.7 74.8
Business freedom 70.8 77.5
Labor freedom 56.5 53.7
Monetary freedom 72.1 73.8
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 80 80
Financial freedom 70 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Hungary
Poland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Hungary Poland
2026 62.5 68.5
2025 61.4 67.1
2024 61.2 66
2023 64.1 67.7
2022 66.9 68.7
2021 67.2 69.7
2020 66.4 69.1
2019 65 67.8
2018 66.7 68.5
2017 65.8 68.3
2016 66 69.3
2015 66.8 68.6
2014 67 67
2013 67.3 66
2012 67.1 64.2
2011 66.6 64.1
2010 66.1 63.2
2009 66.8 60.3
2008 67.6 60.3
2007 64.8 58.1
2006 65 59.3
2005 63.5 59.6
2004 62.7 58.7
2003 63 61.8
2002 64.5 65
2001 65.6 61.8
2000 64.4 60
1999 59.6 59.6
1998 56.9 59.2
1997 55.3 56.8
1996 56.8 57.8
1995 55.2 50.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/hungary/poland | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Hungary is 62.5, ranking 86/197, compared to 68.5 for Poland, ranking 46/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Hungary Poland
Services, % of GDP
59.5%
2024
59.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.7%
2024
27.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.71%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$199B
2024
$789B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$47,290
2024
$49,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$46.4B
2024
$223B
2024
Total reserves ranking
42/177
2024
17/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$15.8B
2024
-$10.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$62.2B
2024
$20.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$78B
2024
$10B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.1%
2021
13.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.5%
2024
17.8%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/hungary/poland | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1968–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1927–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.