The Hungarian government spends 2.1 of its GDP on public order and safety, more than the 1.8 percent average for the European Union, it has been revealed.
Data collated by Eurostat shows that government expenditure on public order and safety is higher than many other countries in the region.
According to the Budapest Business Journal, in 2015, the ratio of government expenditure on public safety in proportion to GDP was highest in Bulgaria (2.8 percent), Slovakia (2.4 percent), Romania (2.3 percent), Croatia and Poland (both 2.2 percent).
On the lower end of the scale, Denmark and Luxembourg (1.0 percent), Ireland (1.1 percent), Malta and Finland (1.2 percent), Sweden (1.3 percent) and Austria (1.4 percent) spent less than 1.5 percent of their GDP on public safety and significantly less than Hungary.
Eurostat states that general government expenditure on public order and safety comprises mainly expenditure on police services, fire protection services, law courts and prisons.