Generali research: Only a tenth of Hungarians think 2025 will be a fantastic year

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 01. 23. 12:40

The Hungarian population is less concerned about the spread of international war and more about inflation and further price increases, according to a representative study by Generali, which examined the plans and expectations of Hungarians for 2025. A third of respondents are worried about the risk of prices spiraling out of control and the associated deterioration of living standards. Only a tenth of those surveyed are worried about an armed conflict on a global scale, and they are not afraid of the spread of another pandemic. In addition, about 4% of them think that artificial intelligence could take their jobs in 2025. Overall, the majority, 56%, are not at all or not particularly optimistic about this year.

A recent, representative study by Generali Insurance Company[1] examined the expectations of the population for this year: the question is divisive in terms of whether they are optimistic about 2025 or not. The majority of Hungarians are pessimistic, with more than half of those surveyed not expecting much good from the new year. Nearly a third of them think that we can expect a slightly better year, while only 12% expect a very positive, fantastic year. Young people and Budapest residents are more optimistic about the future, while those over 50 are already more pessimistic.

Maintaining health is the main wish of the population

The results of the research clearly show that the population is very concerned about their health: when asked what their only wish would be for 2025, a larger proportion of respondents, more than a third, would like something related to health. 14% would like a more balanced private life, and 14% would also like a new job that pays better than the current one. 12% of those surveyed want a new apartment, while 5% want a new car. As people age, their attitudes towards wishes also change: while only a fifth of those surveyed among 16-29 year-olds mention health preservation, 44% of those aged 50-59 and 60% of those aged 60-75 have some kind of health-related wish or request.

Rising inflation is the biggest fear of Hungarians

More than a third of the population – regardless of age, education or gender – is most concerned about further inflation and the runaway prices. The continuous rise in prices could lead to a deterioration in the general standard of living, and the rise in the cost of basic food and services could affect their daily livelihood. They also have mixed expectations about their financial situation: nearly 40% expect to be in worse financial circumstances in the new year, while 20% expect a slightly better one, and 10% expect a much better financial situation.

Data from the Central Statistical Office (KSH) also report an increase in inflation. On average, consumer prices in December 2024 exceeded those a year earlier by 4.6 percent. Compared to December 2023, food prices increased by 5.4%. Services became more expensive by 6.8%, including rent by 12.6%, and highway tolls, car rentals, and parking by 10.4%. The price of vehicle fuels increased by 8.3% in one year.