Hungarian doctors have seen the biggest wage increase of any profession in the country since 2019, according to the Central Statistical Office’s new report, Healthcare 2024, writes vg.hu.
The average gross salary of physicians has nearly tripled in five years, rising from just over HUF 700,000 (cc. EUR 1,750) in 2019, to over HUF 2 million (cc. EUR 5,000) in 2024, with specialists earning around HUF 2,1 million (cc. EUR 5,245) per month.
The wage reform, introduced in 2019, to curb medical brain drain and stabilize the healthcare system, was implemented in three phases based on recommendations by the Hungarian Medical Chamber. A key milestone was the 2021 law separating public and private practice, which helped standardize pay and reduce disparities between sectors.
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As a result of these changes, the number of practicing doctors increased by 3% in both 2023 and 2024. By mid-2024, 43,123 physicians were registered, addressing a long-standing shortage in human resources.
Interestingly, the largest increases were among doctors aged 35–39 (up 17.6%) and those over 70 (up 32%), suggesting that better wages are both retaining young talent and encouraging older doctors to remain active.
Women now make up 58% of all doctors in Hungary, with their numbers surpassing men in every age group.
Despite the progress, the sector still faces significant challenges—including workforce distribution, rural coverage, and continuity of care. Wage hikes also extended to healthcare support staff, who received an average 20% salary increase in 2024.
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