Egyensúly Intézet Settlement Index reveals shifts in Hungarian regional development

The 2026 Settlement Index (Településindex) by the Egyensúly Intézet reveals shifting development trends across Hungarian settlements. Based on over 360,000 statistical data points and 53 indicators, the study shows that while nearly all Hungarian settlements have improved since 2014, the pace of development varies significantly.

Among county seats, Székesfehérvár maintains its first-place position. Veszprém has risen to second place, overtaking Eger, which now holds the third position. Miskolc has emerged as the most dynamic county seat, improving its index by 18.3 points since 2014 and climbing to tenth place.

In Budapest, the V. District (Belváros-Lipótváros) is ranked as the most developed and most dynamically growing district. For smaller settlements under 5,000 residents, Felcsút has reached the top of the development rankings, showing significant growth since 2014. The research highlights that the proportion of university graduates and proximity to Budapest are key factors in long-term regional development.