Hays Hungary: Hungarian companies expect a much more cautious increase in staff numbers this year

By: Trademagazin Date: 2026. 02. 13. 11:11

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Hungarian companies are expecting a much more cautious increase in staff numbers this year compared to previous years: while in 2025 47 percent of the companies surveyed planned expansion, by 2026 this ratio has increased to 27.5 percent, and 27 percent of employers expect stagnation – said Hays Hungary, a company specializing in recruitment and selection, based on its labor market research.

In the statement, Tibor Katona, Commercial Director of Hays, pointed out that employers no longer prioritize rapid growth, but stable operations: they are responding to the uncertain economic environment with more cautious wage developments, more targeted recruitment and more focused training programs.

However, caution does not mean passivity: many companies are trying to strengthen their foundations and are consciously preparing for the factor that will shape the labor market expected in the second half of the year, which is none other than wage transparency, as the EU regulation on this will come into force on June 7 this year.

Tammy Nagy-Stellini, the The managing director of Hays Hungary indicated in the statement: wage transparency will be a turning point in the labor market. For the first time, companies must clearly articulate how they assess the true market value of a role. This creates a clearer situation on both sides – but it also tests the preparedness and wage structure of companies.

The statement explains that while in 2024 31 percent of employers were able to give double-digit wage increases, by 2025 this had decreased to 10 percent. This year, the majority of companies are planning wage increases of between 2.5 and 5 percent, with much more modest room for maneuver than a year earlier.

They added that the latest data also shows that companies have begun to consider alternative means to retain their workforce, such as more flexible benefit packages or career path restructuring. Several employers also indicated that instead of wage increases, they are strengthening internal mobility and training programs to mitigate wage pressure.

According to the research, 56.5 percent of the companies surveyed are already trying to replace employees’ missing skills with targeted development programs. The latter are also important because 91 percent of companies experienced a skills shortage in the past year – whether it is technical, digital or even basic work competencies.

It was emphasized that expanding digital competencies is not only a matter of efficiency, but also a basic condition for competitiveness, especially in a labor market where 63 percent of employees already regularly use AI tools.

The Hays Hungary labor market research material was prepared based on the responses of 4,229 people (including employees and employers). The majority of the respondents work in the automotive industry, software and IT services, banks, pharmaceuticals, energy and renewable energy sources, as well as trade and construction.