Taking stock of Hungarian family policy over the past 15 years
Dr. Árpád József Mészáros gave a lecture entitled 'The Importance of Family Policy in Hungary' at the Faculty of Economics, Health Sciences and Social Sciences at Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church. In his lecture, he took stock of Hungarian family policy over the past 15 years, presenting the goals and areas of action of Hungarian family policy, as well as the changes that have taken place in this period. During the lecture, he presented the objectives and scope of Hungarian family policy, describing the family support measures introduced over the past 15 years to the students. Since 2022, the Mária Kopp Institute and Károli Gáspár Reformed University have been partners, actively contributing to the strengthening of family sciences and family values.
The Strategic Vice-President of KINCS emphasised that the purpose of family policy is to encourage family growth and well-being, which is important not only from a demographic point of view, but also for mental and economic reasons. Having children is a matter of sustainability and competitiveness, not only in Hungary, but throughout the EU. Dr Árpád József Mészáros said that Hungarian family policy is based on five pillars: supporting mothers; strengthening the financial security of families; ensuring adequate housing; creating a family-friendly environment; and protecting the legal rights of families and children. In line with these principles, the Hungarian government introduced over 30 family-friendly measures in 2010, including family tax allowances, childcare benefits, child welfare measures, and home creation subsidies. These measures aim to enhance the financial security, and more broadly the well-being and prosperity, of families planning to have and raise children.
The strategic vice-president of our institute pointed out that, among other things, tax exemptions for young people under the age of 25, worker loans, the Home Start Programme, and free traffic safety and language exams are intended to support young people as they start their lives. Meanwhile, the family tax allowance, which is set to double in January, and the income tax exemption for mothers are designed to keep more money in the pockets of families. Regarding childcare benefits, he emphasised that, since July, CSED and GYED have also become tax-free. Consequently, new mothers now receive greater benefits during the infant care period than their previous net wages, as CSED equates to 100 per cent of their gross salary. He also noted that, since 2010, the number of nursery places has increased to over 70,000 and that there are now nurseries in 1,250 municipalities. This has significantly increased the employment of mothers with young children. Meanwhile, housing and home creation subsidies continue to help young people and families find suitable housing.
Finally, Dr Árpád József Mészáros pointed out that the measures introduced over the past 15 years have also had a positive impact on the key population indicators. Between 2010 and 2023, Hungary experienced the most significant rise in fertility rates within the EU, shifting our position from the lowest to the highest in the rankings. Additionally, the government's family-focused policy has doubled the number of marriages compared to 2010, reduced the number of divorces by a quarter, and cut the number of abortions by almost half. Meanwhile, female employment has increased and the proportion of families at risk of poverty has fallen significantly.
