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The success of Hungary’s family policy: 2020 has been our best year to date

Aug 13, 2020 - Zoltán Kovács

The Family Protection Action Plan was launched by the Hungarian government in February 2019 and has since grown into an impressive success story. Here’s where we’re standing now.

Blog

The next phase of Hungary’s extensive family support policy is here

Jun 30, 2020 - Zoltán Kovács

Katalin Novák, state secretary for Family and Youth Affairs, said the Hungarian government wants to support couples who decide to have children so that having children doesn’t put them at a financial disadvantage versus those who have none.

Blog

State Secretary: The role of the family has increased

May 16, 2020 - Zoltán Kovács

“We can always count on our family members. We want to show that no Hungarian is alone,” Katalin Novák, State Secretary for Family and Youth Affairs, said today.

Blog

Here’s an alternative picture of Hungary’s family policy

Mar 06, 2020 - Katalin Novák

A guest post by State Secretary Katalin Novák.

News in Brief

State Secretary: Increase in number of marriages are cause for optimism

Mar 05, 2020

Katalin Novák has pointed out that all of the demographic indexes in Hungary changed for the better in 2019.

News in Brief

Hungary hailed a savior of families as Europe is confronted by a demographic crisis

Mar 03, 2020

God, marriage, family and children. There is an authenticity about Hungary’s policies that speaks to Europe in these ancient, foundational times.

News in Brief

State Secretary: The government’s family policy aims to protect traditional family values

Feb 28, 2020

The state secretary said the Hungarian government offers financial help to families with children.

News in Brief

State Secretary: The solution to Europe’s demographic challenges is more children

Feb 20, 2020

“There are many ways to approach the issue of demography,” Katalin Novák said. “Hungary’s firm position is however that migration is not the solution.”

News in Brief

Number of marriages in Hungary at highest in 30 years

Feb 12, 2020

Last year, 62,000 couples got married in Hungary compared to 36,000 in 2010.

News in Brief

Hungary and US cooperating closely on policies in support of families

Feb 10, 2020

Katalin Novák said cooperation between the US and Hungary “in the areas of supporting families and preserving the dignity of human life has been unprecedented”.

News in Brief

Novák: Hungary’s family policy is thought of highly in Washington

Jan 17, 2020

The state secretary said it was a “great honor” that the US was studying Hungary’s family policies at such a high level. She added that Secretary Azar is expected to pay a visit to Budapest in the spring.

Blog

State acquisition of fertility clinics: It’s about removing obstacles for couples who want to have children

Jan 14, 2020 - Zoltán Kovács

Critical outlets, of course, were quick to jump on Hungary’s move to make infertility treatment free-of-charge. The prime minister stated our case last week at an international press conference, but they’ve largely ignored the explanation. So, once again, here’s our reasoning for the move.

News in Brief

State Secretary: Hungary’s family policy “holds enormous potential”

Dec 30, 2019

The Hungarian government has made it a goal to help couples facing infertility.

News in Brief

Hungary, Brazil, Poland and the US working on family protection cooperation scheme

Dec 06, 2019

The state secretary for family and youth affairs said the Partnership for Families alliance would work on proposals to improve the welfare of families “and not to merely react to events”.

Blog

Here’s the truth about Hungary’s family policy and “image of women”

Nov 25, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

The international press corps has been taking shots at Hungary’s program aimed at countering demographic decline. A few weeks ago, they said it was discriminating against women without kids, now a German paper proposes that Hungary should adopt a “new image of women”. It’s time for the truth.

Blog Prime Minister

PM Orbán: We need to halt the demographic decline

Nov 15, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

A country with a declining population, Prime Minister Orbán said, should not live under the illusion that the decline will stop without our own effort. In his speech at the meeting of the Hungarian Diaspora Council yesterday, the Prime Minister touched upon an array of pressing issues including immigration, family policy, the state of Hungary’s economy, and the country’s military capabilities.

News in Brief

Hungarian government increasing focus on family programs

Oct 21, 2019

The Hungarian government is expected to submit bills to lawmakers in the autumn expanding the family support system and launching a new program protecting the economy from the impact of a slowdown on external markets.

Speeches and Remarks

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s speech at the 3rd Budapest Demographic Summit

Sep 06, 2019

5 September 2019, Budapest

Blog

PM Orbán: Without families a national community could vanish

Sep 05, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Speaking at the opening of Budapest Demographic Summit III earlier today, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán named the pursuit of a strong demographic policy a goal of the state and a task for the government.

Blog

Hungarian Family Policy in the front ranks globally

Sep 04, 2019 - Katalin Novák

Budapest Demographic Summit III to be the most prestigious, international demography-focused event in years

News in Brief

Hungarian government introduces new childcare subsidy for foster parents

Aug 16, 2019

Attila Fülöp, State Secretary at the Human Resources Ministry, said the measure is an effort to strengthen the child protection system in Hungary.

News in Brief

Start "Baby bond" accounts rise above 190,000

Aug 14, 2019

The Finance Ministry has revealed that the number of starter “baby bond” accounts with the State Treasury had risen above 190,000 by the end of July.

Blog

Here’s why we call it the budget of families

Jun 05, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

By increasing government spending in key areas, next year’s budget will focus on families, demographic policy, security and sustained economic growth.

News in Brief

International Spokesman claps back at criticism of PM Orbán’s family policy

May 24, 2019

Economics professor Karl Heinz Hausner said Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s family policy is reminiscent of the National-Socialist era.

News in Brief

Hungarian government to go ahead with prenatal subsidies despite EC concerns

May 13, 2019

The Hungarian government is committed to launching the prenatal support scheme on July 1st, 2019

Blog

Das ungarische Familienschutzprogramm: Das passiert als Nächstes, und wie es Früchte trägt

May 06, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

Als Antwort auf die demografischen Herausforderungen von heute tritt der von Premierminister Viktor Orbán im Februar angekündigte Sieben-Punkte-Aktionsplan am 1. Juli in Kraft.

News in Brief

Hungary can reverse the aging of its population, says minister

Apr 30, 2019

Today the government spends twice as much on family subsidies as in 2010, Katalin Novák said, adding that Hungary spends 4.8 percent of GDP on family support schemes, the highest proportion in Europe

Blog

Hungary’s Family Protection Action Plan: Here’s what happens next and how we see it bearing fruit

Apr 30, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

In response to today’s demographic challenges, the seven-point action plan, announced by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in February, is coming into force on July 1st.

Blog

Hungary’s bold family policy and the story of Anna and Peter

Apr 16, 2019 - Katalin Novák

Let me tell you the story of an average, young, Hungarian woman, Anna, who is 28 years old, earned her university degree in law four years ago, has been in a loving relationship with 32 year-old Peter for three years and lives in Debrecen, a major city in northeast Hungary.

News in Brief

Katalin Novák presents Hungary’s family policy measures at summit in Colombia

Apr 08, 2019

Minister Novák said the government’s family policy was held in high regard by all participants at the summit

Blog

Hungary’s Family Protection Action Plan: It’s coming July 1

Apr 04, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

This week the Hungarian National Assembly approved a series of bills aimed to lay the foundation for Hungary’s new family policy, clearing the way for the first four measures to come into force on July 1st.

News in Brief

National Catholic Register says there is hope in Hungary for the traditional family model

Apr 04, 2019

Hope in Hungary as abortions decline, marriages increase and families are valued

News in Brief

Parliament approves new demographic package

Apr 02, 2019

The Hungarian parliament has approved a series of bills aimed at reversing Hungary's declining demographic trend

Blog Prime Minister

PM Orbán: We won’t compromise on migration and the protection of Christian culture

Mar 08, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

In his regular Friday morning interview on Kossuth Radio earlier today, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán addressed the ruling party’s relations with the EPP, his call for a new council of interior ministers to handle immigration and the implementation of the family support package.

Blog Prime Minister

PM Orbán: Hungarians have the right to know what’s going on in Brussels

Feb 22, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

In his regular Kossuth Rádió interview this morning, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán spoke about the European Parliamentary election campaign, the importance of informing Hungarians about Brussels’ plans and touched upon the early responses to the government’s latest pro-family package.

News in Brief

Advisor to former British PM praises Hungary’s family policy

Feb 21, 2019

Phillip Blond said the Hungarian action plan is "an extremely progressive, forward-thinking program" that "stabilizes families when they are most vulnerable".

News in Brief

Fox News praises Hungary's family policy

Feb 18, 2019

"If we are not able to turn around the negative trend of demographics - which is unfortunately a phenomenon all over Europe - then we will definitely not win the future. And we want to win the future so we need more kids," Minister Szíjjártó said

News in Brief

State Secretary Novák responds to Swedish minister's criticism of Hungary's family policy

Feb 16, 2019

Here's the letter in full:

Blog

Dear Guardian columnist: No, Hungary’s family policy is not about “controlling women’s bodies”

Feb 14, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

It’s about easing the financial burdens on families who want to have children, and, yes, the hope is that couples will have more children.

Speeches and Remarks Prime Minister

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s “State of the Nation” address

Feb 11, 2019

10 February 2019, Budapest

News in Brief

PM Orbán announces seven-point family protection action plan

Feb 11, 2019

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán made his highly anticipated state-of-the-nation address in Budapest yesterday

Blog Prime Minister

PM Orbán in State of the Nation: Brussels has become the stronghold of a “new internationalism” that would transform Europe into an immigrant continent

Feb 10, 2019 - Zoltán Kovács

The Hungarian response calls for something different: stronger families, more children.

Blog

Here’s why family policy is important and how this national consultation seeks to make a difference

Nov 23, 2018 - Zoltán Kovács

Europe’s demographic decline comes as no surprise to anyone even superficially acquainted with current birthrates around the continent. Although some in western Europe have already decided that immigration offers the only way to make up for the loss, the Orbán Government pursues another solution -- make it easier for the nation’s own citizens to have bigger families – and in this national consultation, we’re asking citizens for their input on how to do that.

News in Brief

Here's the English version of Hungary's national consultation on the protection of the family

Nov 13, 2018

Since its inauguration, Hungary’s government has always paid special attention to the protection and support of families raising children. This is why we have introduced family tax benefits and doubled the overall family support compared to its level in 2010. Now we have the opportunity through further provisions to support Hungarian families.

Blog Prime Minister

PM Orbán: It’s better to govern with the people than against the people

Nov 09, 2018 - Zoltán Kovács

Having just returned from the EPP Congress in Helsinki, Prime Minister Orbán sat for his regular radio interview this morning to talk about the upcoming EP elections, the UN migration pact, the ongoing national consultation and the liberal hysteria around the “Soros university”.

News in Brief

Government to send out national consultation on the protection of families this week

Nov 06, 2018

The postal service will start delivering the questionnaires to members of the public in the next few days, Katalin Novák, the Minister of State for Family and Youth Affairs at the Ministry of Human Capacities said

News in Brief

Hungarian government’s steps to protect the family are garnering worldwide media attention

Nov 06, 2018

Hungary’s demographic policy – which eschews mass migration in favor of homegrown babies – has already had a strengthening effect on the nation’s families

News in Brief

Hungarian government focuses its efforts on supporting families raising the future generations

Nov 05, 2018

András Tállai said the government does not believe in immigration, but rather in supporting Hungarian families raising children

News in Brief

Hungarian government to launch national consultation on the protection of families "within days"

Oct 30, 2018

Csaba Dömötör highlighted that with this consultation the government will be able to designate the foundations for future family support measures

News in Brief

Hungarians step in to help feed needy families on world food day

Oct 17, 2018

The amount of food produced globally is enough to feed for the entire worldwide population, but some 820 million people are permanently starving, while one third of the food products in richer nations ends up in the rubbish dump

News in Brief

Hungarian government to release National Consultation Survey in October to gain insight into demography issue

Sep 19, 2018

State Secretary Csaba Dömötör said the government will survey citizens on family policy in a national consultation that will launch in just a couple of weeks

News in Brief

Government brings forward handing out benefits to needy families for start of new school year

Aug 31, 2018

Katalin Novák, minister of state for Family and Youth Affairs at the Ministry of Human Capacities, said the government will continue to increase financial support for families, which year-by-year has eased the burdens of the beginning of the school year

News in Brief

Hungary's pro-family culture is "winding back the clock" on demographic decline

Jul 12, 2018

A leading study suggests that Hungary's pro-family culture has resulted in a rising fertility rate for married women

News in Brief

Hungary and Italy join forces to promote the importance of supporting families

Jul 09, 2018

Katalin Novák said that the only solution to the demographic decline facing Europe is providing families increased support using national budgets instead of relying on economic migrants

News in Brief

Fidesz say new budget is designed to guarantee security, economic growth, support for families and full employment

Jun 14, 2018

The ruling Fidesz party has said the budget bill presented to parliament by the finance minister envisages a budget of “steady growth”, based on “responsible and provident” planning

News in Brief

Hungary’s quest to nurture “the family” sees drop in abortions and marriage increase

Jun 12, 2018

Katalin Novàk, minister of state for Family, Youth and International Affairs, said abortion numbers have dropped by more than a third since 2010, from 40,449 to 28,500

Blog Prime Minister

PM Orbán: Christian democracy defends us from migration, it helps protect our borders and support families

May 25, 2018 - Zoltán Kovács

“We can’t carry out the work of the next four years without inserting it into a long-term plan,” said Prime Minister Orbán this morning in his regular interview with Hungary’s public Kossuth Radio. The PM shared specific plans, touched upon the emptiness of liberal democracy, talked about an upcoming national consultation and explained how the Stop Soros package will bolster Hungary’s security.

News in Brief

Incoming minister of human resources says he is determined to tackle the country’s demographic problem

May 09, 2018

Miklós Kasler says he will continue to support families, improve the quality of healthcare, continue to promote a value-based education system, provide better grounding for young people and strengthen a society based on work - all to improve demographic indicators

News in Brief Prime Minister

PM Orbán: Hungary’s demographic problem will be solved through family policy, not through immigration and migrants

Mar 22, 2018

The prime minister said the Hungarian government stands by families and supports families in making the commitment to have and raise children

Blog

Hungary names 2018 the Year of the Family

Jan 23, 2018 - Zoltán Kovács

“Strong families,” said Prime Minister Orbán when dedicating 2018 as the year of the family, “will create a strong, competitive society and economy, a strong and competitive Hungary and Europe.”

News in Brief

The Hungarian government dedicates 2018 to families

Dec 28, 2017

Katalin Novák, the state secretary for family, youth and international affairs, said couples planning a family or already raising children will receive additional support

Blog Prime Minister

PM Orbán on the future: From ‘learning to be small’ to making Hungary great again

Nov 21, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács

All Hungarian individuals and communities wherever they may live, said Prime Minister Viktor Orbán recently, are part of one nation, and in an age when “national interests come first, even in the European Union,” Hungary aims to unite what is a global nation and make it stronger as a whole.

News in Brief Prime Minister

PM Orbán: Nearly 10 billion EUR has been given to families since 2010

Oct 16, 2017

“Hungarians like to work, they can work hard and take initiative…and they are able to take responsible decisions,” the prime minister said

News in Brief

Hungarian government increases 2018 budget to help families, employment and security

Jun 12, 2017

The government will allocate an extra 1,000 billion HUF to this year's overall spend, which has been made possible by the country’s recent economic growth

Speeches and Remarks Prime Minister

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s opening speech at the 2nd Budapest Demographic Forum

May 29, 2017

25 May 2017, Budapest

Blog

PM Orbán reveals three key conditions to reverse Europe’s demographic decline

May 26, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács

Reversing Europe’s demographic decline, said Prime Minister Viktor Orbán addressing the 11th World Congress of Families in Budapest on Thursday, is like “turning around a large ocean liner. We vainly turn the wheel, but the body will not follow the new direction in the next second, only slowly.”

News in Brief

PM Orbán at World Congress of Families XI summit: 2018 will be the year for families

May 25, 2017

The World Congress of Families XI summit got underway in Budapest today, taking place between May 25th to 28th

Blog

Hungary says, families first!

May 08, 2017 - Zoltán Kovács

A nation’s strength lies in its people. Declining demographic trends throughout Europe pose a worrisome problem, including in Hungary. The trend has been declining into a vicious circle for decades and governments have struggled to break it. Recent demographic statistics in Hungary, however, show that with some ingenuity – like housing incentives and other breaks for families with children – a carefully selected mix of family policies can make a difference.

News in Brief

2018 budget bill put before Parliament

May 03, 2017

Government targets are unchanged from 2017 - achieving full employment, maintaining economic growth and boosting security

News in Brief

Number of abortions in Hungary drop by a quarter in six years

Apr 19, 2017

Prior to 2010, the average number of abortions exceeded 40,000 for many years, but has now fallen to 30,000-a-year

News in Brief

Hungarian government: Tax cuts, pay rises, better security and increased support for families in 2017

Jan 03, 2017

Wage increases will help strengthen the middle class and Hungary’s economy as a whole in the long term