According to KOPINT-TÁRKI’s July 2026 survey, optimism in the Hungarian manufacturing sector has moderated, while the sector remains stable but vulnerable. The main challenge for companies continues to be weak demand, compounded by geopolitical tensions, volatile energy prices and the effects of climate change. There are, however, encouraging signs, including a gradual improvement in order books, positive production expectations and rising inventories in anticipation of a recovery.
Confidence in the Hungarian economy has also eased, although businesses remain hopeful about the reopening of EU funding and broader opportunities for fair competition.

Read the full report here.

The second issue of Economic Trends for 2026 has been published. The complete series can be found here: Economic Trends in Eastern Europe.

In June 2026, researchers from Kopint-Tárki and China-CEE held a joint workshop on automotive industry cooperation between Eastern Europe and China as part of the research that Kopint-Tárki is undertaking for China-CEE.

More information and downloads of materials can be found on the project page.

At its general meeting on 28 May, 2026, Kopint-Tárki elected István János Tóth as chairman of the board following the death of chairman Tamás Kolosi.

István János Tóth worked as a research fellow at Kopint-Datorg (the predecessor of Kopint-Tárki) from 1988 to 1997. He subsequently worked at the Institute of Economics of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (and its legal successors). From 2002 to 2017, he headed the Institute for Economic and Business Analysis, which operates under the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Among his areas of research, the analysis of corruption in Hungary using scientific statistical methods stands out; this work was primarily conducted within the framework of the CRCB (Corruption Research Center Budapest). He has published numerous studies on this topic, in both Hungarian and English, which have been widely cited.

The manufacturing business survey conducted in April 2026, after Hungary’s parliamentary elections, showed a marked improvement in sentiment and a significant uptick in expectations within the sector, although real economic fundamentals do not yet support this optimism. The upturn may stem from the fact that companies that were previously in a difficult situation no longer expect further deterioration. However, the Hungarian manufacturing sector continues to stagnate in the first quarter of 2026. The current order backlog is at a critical level, but the production forecast gives cause for optimism, suggesting that a significant upturn in production may come in the medium term. Sustained growth would require not only a favorable financial environment, but also the assurance of fair market competition and the restoration of business confidence. For companies, long-term predictability and a reduction in the intensity of government intervention would be key to improving productivity.

Read the full report here.

We are happy to announce that KOPINT-TÁRKI has participated in the MNB-Reuters forecasting competition, where Éva Palócz and Zoltán Matheika took second place. Congratulations!