Living conditions and strategies of Hungarian emigrants in the most important European target countries

Abstract

Emigration has become a universal life strategy independent of sex, age, social strata, education level, place of birth, socialization specificities or other cultural features. Hungarians emigration was lagging behind neighbouring post-socialist countries’ which produced an extraordinary outflow since 2000. However, from 2010, EU labour market liberalization and the great financial crisis burdening thousands of Hungarian families with debt led to the intensification of Hungarian emigration. The principal target countries are Germany, the United Kingdom and Austria where more than 300,000 Hungarians are living in diaspora. Besides, labor mobility also focuses on other economically powerful states like Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and, furthermore, to transitional countries such as Poland and Slovakia. According to official and semi-official estimates approximately 350,000–600,000 Hungarians live abroad of whom 80-85% are employed. A minority of them are studying at foreign higher education institutions or living with emigrant relatives. The dynamics of emigration was accelerated between 2010 and 2014, though for the last two years the process has been showing signs of stagnation or deceleration. It is hard to predict future migration scenarios as many factors (e.g. macroeconomic situation, bureaucracy, social welfare and health system, quality of education, politics) influence individual and collective decisions. Nowadays migratory lifestyle (permanent, temporary or recurring) is also became an alternative strategy supported by complex, multilateral interpersonal networks and the social environment. A high level of emigration (especially from the peripheral rural areas causing brain drain and social residualization) jeopardizes the Hungarian society’s social welfare and health systems, education and state administration and, therefore, requires political interventions. While the increasing amounts of remittances comprise 3% of the Hungarian GDP, this does not lead to direct economic development as most of the families use this income to repay debts and increase their life standard. Even more, two third of emigrants do not plan remigration and they even persuade other family members to leave the country. One third of emigrants perceive migration as an episode of adult life offering financial empowerment opportunities. They return back to Hungary with specific family, entrepreneurial, career or patriotic incentives. Numerous factors stimulate migration: macroeconomic instability, low wages, financial recession, quality of education, political differences, disappointment, poverty, unemployment, hopelessness or uncertainty. On the other hand, target countries are popular because of 4-6 times higher salaries, career opportunities, potential savings, better life conditions, cultural diversity, inclusive societies, advantages of socialization in a multicultural social environment, quality education, intact nature and a reliable future.