Middle-aged Hungarians expect double-digit inflation

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 04. 04. 10:42

Middle-aged people still perceive a much higher price increase than the official figures show, according to the K&H Sure Future survey, which examined in the first quarter how much price increase 30-59 year-olds experienced during their purchases. They perceived February inflation to be over 20 percent on average, which is hardly a change compared to a year earlier, but reflects an improvement compared to the level two years earlier.

In February this year, middle-aged people perceived an average annual inflation of 22 percent, which is well above the official price increase of 5.6 percent. Compared to 2023, the rate of perceived inflation decreased significantly in 2024, but opinions practically did not change from 2024 to 2025 – this is the conclusion of the K&H Sure Future survey, which, among other things, examined what the actual inflation rate is according to 30-59 year-olds, i.e. the extent of price increases they perceived during their purchases.

They are experiencing significant price increases

While at the beginning of last year the most common answer, mentioned by a fifth of those surveyed, was 15-19 percent inflation, now, if only by a hair, 5-10 percent has become the most mentioned value: this interval was indicated by 18 percent of respondents. This was followed by a 20-24 percent price increase perceived by 17 percent, while a 15-19 percent price increase was mentioned by 16 percent at the beginning of this year.

Compared to the average of 22 percent, 15 percent of women perceived inflation above 40 percent, while this was only 6 percent for men. This was also reflected in the average value of the average perceived inflation: compared to 23 percent of women, men only perceived inflation of 20 percent. The average value of 18 percent in Budapest is also lower than the 22-23 percent measured in other settlements, which can also be explained by higher income. An important factor is that the survey was based on prices typical of the first month and a half of the year, and government steps aimed at reducing inflation only came into effect later, in March.