Part 4/8:
Despite these measures, the cost of living for ordinary Hungarians has not improved significantly, primarily due to rampant inflation. In 2023, Hungarian households' consumption—when adjusted for purchasing power parity—was only 70% of the EU average, leaving Hungary alongside Bulgaria at the bottom of the economic ladder in the EU. Additionally, a 2023 Eurobarometer survey indicated that merely 30% of Hungarian consumers felt confident about their ability to live comfortably in retirement, reflecting growing anxieties over inflation's impact on personal savings.