Hungary’s economy grew by an annual 6.1% in the third quarter, slowing from 17.8% in Q2, according to a first reading of data released by the Central Statistical Office (KSH) on Tuesday.
Adjusted for calendar year and seasonal effects, GDP in the third quarter increased at the same rate. Quarter on quarter, GDP edged up 0.7%, KSH said, while in Q1-Q3, growth was an annual 7.1%. Finance Minister Mihály Varga welcomed the growth figure, saying it indicated the economy was on a dynamic growth path. With a record growth of almost 18% in Q2, the economy has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, he said, adding that Hungary’s growth rate was above the EU average.
“All this shows that a supportive budgetary policy is now bearing fruit and the government’s measures are contributing to the economy’s relaunch while mitigating negative external impacts,” he said. The minister also noted that the government was expecting a record 6.8% growth for the full year.
Analysts told MTI the data surprised on the downside. Gábor Regős of Századvég Economic Research said the slowdown outpaced expectations, and the weakening of industry likely had a big role to play accordingly.
Péter Virovácz of ING Bank said the 0.7% increase compared with the previous quarter was lower than the market consensus of 1% growth.
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