Although the share of Hungarians considering EU membership to have been beneficial for Hungary overall has decreased by four percentage points over the past five years, nearly three-quarters of the country’s inhabitants still feel this way

– as revealed by Závecz Research’s study commissioned by 24.hu. Regarding several matters, we asked the same questions as we had in 2019, making the distribution of answers well comparable.

Moreover, the proportion of those claiming that membership is very beneficial increased: in 2019, 17 per cent of respondents thought so, while in 2024, this figure rose to 25 per cent. However, the share of those choosing the “rather beneficial” option decreased by 12 percentage points – from 59 per cent – while those who find membership in the Union “rather disadvantageous” increased by 6 percentage points. The proportion of Hungarians unable or not willing to answer also decreased: in 2024, 96 per cent of respondents have an opinion on the matter.

To put results in context: according to a similar survey by the European Parliament, an average of 68 per cent of people in all member states considered membership beneficial in 2019, with the figure increasing to 72 per cent by autumn 2023 – in other words, the Hungarian result matches the EU average.

The survey also attempted to reveal to what extent Hungarians’ expectations regarding EU membership had been met. Here, some disappointment is clearly seen. Five years ago, 30 per cent felt that their expectations had been fully or mostly met, but this figure decreased to 25 per cent in 2024. The proportion of those giving the results an average rating also decreased.

Accordingly, the proportion of those who felt that the European Union had not met their expectations increased from 14 per cent in 2019 to 28 per cent. This worsening perception is also reflected in the overall results:

five years ago, the average score on a 1-to-5 scale was 3.2 points, dropping to 2.9 in 2024.

Some would also provide substantial answers to this question, shedding some light on what exactly these expectations were regarding EU accession. The top two most mentioned responses were the same in both survey years—an increase in living standards, and EU-funded support and development — their rates of being mentioned also increased equally over the years. This year, free travel opportunities ranked third, followed by the strengthening of the economy. It is also apparent that the introduction of the euro and free employment opportunities in Europe are on the minds of more Hungarians now than in 2019.

From time to time, the Hungarian government’s maverick politics within the EU raises the question of whether Hungary will leave the European Union. Regardless, however, of the stance of Hungary’s political actors, public opinion polls consistently show that the Hungarian population is pro-EU. According to our current survey,

if a referendum was to be held this Sunday on whether Hungary should join the EU, 65 per cent of respondents would vote yes.

This is four percentage points less than in 2019, but the proportion of those choosing the opposite option did not increase, remaining at 19 per cent. What did increase instead is the share of those who would not vote or did not answer the question.

Respondents opposing a theoretical accession were also asked how they would vote if a referendum was held on leaving the EU. Unsurprisingly, 83 per cent would choose to leave, while 9 per cent would prefer to stay in the European Union. This represents a 7 percentage point increase and a 3 percentage point decrease compared to 2019, respectively. However, projecting these results onto the entire population, only 16 per cent of all Hungarians would vote to leave.