57 percent of Hungarians say that 2019 was a good year for the country, and 55 percent believe that the country’s economic situation has also improved. The optimism is overflowing into 2020 as well, with every second respondent (54 percent) saying that the country will do well this year, reveals a public opinion poll conducted by Nézőpont Intézet on behalf of daily newspaper Magyar Nemzet.
Hungarian people regard last year favourably, similarly to every year since 2016. According to 57 percent, 2019 performed well, with satisfaction rates higher than the 49 percent in 2016, 56 percent in 2017 and 53 percent in 2018. In the assessment of 2019 age plays a lesser role, with 56 percent of young people (18-29 years old) and 58 percent of those over 60 years of age saying that Hungary closed an overall good year.
The assessment of the economic situation plays a significant role in how each year is perceived. In 2019, 55 percent of Hungarians said that Hungary’s economic situation improved. All this means that more than 4 million Hungarian adults are satisfied with last year’s economic performance. Demographic breakdowns show that in each of the social groups examined, those who say that the economic situation in the country improved in 2019 constitute the majority. There is an absolute majority of men (63 percent) and those over 60 (62 percent), and a relative majority of women (48 percent) and young people aged 18-29 (49 percent). The rate of dissatisfaction with the country’s economic performance is 42 percent among women, 41 percent among young people, 31 percent among those over 60, and 28 percent among men.
According to 54 percent of Hungarians, 2020 will turn out well overall for Hungary. The absolute majority of respondents (55 percent) expect the country’s economic situation to improve in 2020 as well. Young people (18-29) represent the most confident age group, with two-thirds (65 percent) predicting that next year will turn out well, and 65 percent also expect it to be economically viable.
According to 34 percent of Hungarians, 2020 will be even better than 2019, and only 19 percent of the respondents think it may be worse. On the whole, it can be said that Hungarians are happy with 2019 and look to 2020 with optimism.
Methodology
Nézőpont Intézet conducted this public opinion poll between 04-06 December 2019 based on personal interviews with 1,000 respondents. The sample is representative of the 18+ population by gender, age, region, settlement type and education level. A sample of 1,000 at 95 percent accuracy has a 3.16 percent margin of error.
Cover photo: MTI/Mónus Márton