Hungarian population decline slows

More babies were born and fewer people died in the first four months of the year than in the same period last year, Népszabadság quotes the Central Statistics Office (KSH) as saying in a report today.

According to initial data, 31,774 babies were born, 3.2% up on the same period last year, while the number of those who died totalled 45,301, constituting a 1.9% drop. The natural loss totalled 13,527, lower than one year ago but due to the positive balance caused by estimated data of international migration, Hungary's population dropped by only 9,000. The estimated population of Hungary will reach 10,036,000 by the end of the year.

Demographers are not so optimistic, however. KSH counsellor general Ferenc Kamarás said in order to achieve a demographic equilibrium, the number of births will have to rise by 30%, which is improbable.

KSH Demographic Research Institute deputy director László Hablicsek said unless the demographic processes change substantially - if the number of births does not improve and if that of deaths does not decrease in the long term - Hungary's population could drop below ten million within one or two years.

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