Data released by the Central Statistics Office (KSH) on Tuesday shows that the average gross wage in Hungary rose 8.5pc year-on-year to HUF 714,400 in March.

KSH data shows that net wages climbed 8.4pc to HUF 490,400. Real wages rose 3.5pc, calculated with March CPI of 4.7pc. The gross median wage increased 8.6pc to HUF 550,000.

Hungary's statutory monthly minimum wage was raised by 9pc to HUF 290,800 for unskilled labourers and by 7pc to HUF 348,800 for skilled workers from January 1, 2025.

Excluding the 62,200 Hungarians working full time in fostered work programmes -- who earned on average gross HUF 144,500 in March -- the average gross monthly wage was HUF 725,800.

Excluding fostered workers, the average gross wage in the business sector, which includes state-owned companies, rose 8.5pc to HUF 732,100. The average gross wage in the public sector climbed 8.0pc to HUF 708,300. In the non-profit sector, the average gross wage increased 8.4pc to HUF 708,600.