Education
Schooling is secular and compulsory from age 6 to 16. The country has a solid network of universities, notably in Budapest and in major regional cities such as Szeged, Debrecen and Pécs. The school year runs from late August to mid-June. Kindergarten starts as early as age 3. The primary cycle is divided into two phases: from 6 to 10 years and from 10 to 14 years. General secondary school lasts 4 years. Technical schools can add a year of specialization.
The rhythm is 5 days a week, with 45-minute classes separated by a 15-minute break. Younger students finish around noon, while high school students can finish as late as 3:30 p.m., without a lunch break. There is no change of class or teacher from year to year, which favors pedagogical continuity, but the system is weakened by teacher shortages and overcrowded classes.
Vacations include one week in autumn, two at Christmas and one at Easter. The calendar also includes several civil and religious holidays.
The Szalagavató, or "Ribbon Ball", is a tradition during which students receive a personalized ribbon from their main teacher, symbolizing the end of their schooling.
Retirement
In Hungary, the statutory retirement age is 65 for everyone. An exception exists for women thanks to the "Nők 40" scheme, which allows early retirement after 40 years of contributions, including at least 32 years of professional activity. Years spent on maternity or parental leave, or caring for a child under 8, can be taken into account, up to a limit of 8 years. For mothers of large families (5 children or more), the required period may be reduced by one year for each child over the fourth. The amount of the pension depends on the number of years contributed and the average salary over the entire career.
Since 2010, the system has been based exclusively on a pay-as-you-go model, following the abolition of the capitalization pillar. This reform, considered controversial, led to the integration of private funds into the public system. Today, pensions remain modest overall, prompting many retirees to extend their working lives in order to maintain an acceptable standard of living.
Demographics and social protection
Hungary abolished compulsory military service in 2004, and its army is involved in international missions. In 2024, the country had the lowest birth rate since 1949, an aging population and a declining population. Marriage rates are falling, and divorce is on the increase.
Hungary's social protection system includes family allowances, though the amount remains modest. The public healthcare system is accessible free of charge, but suffers from a lack of resources, which encourages the development of private clinics that are often costly.
