Hungarian education trends show vocational concentration and declining PISA scores

Recent data highlights significant trends in the Hungarian education system regarding student demographics and international performance. According to Hungarian Central Statistical Office data for the 2025/2026 school year, approximately 89 percent of disadvantaged or multiply disadvantaged students in secondary education are enrolled in vocational training or technical schools. This concentration is driven by factors such as easier admission processes and scholarship opportunities.

On an international level, the 2025 PISA results, conducted by the OECD, indicate a decline in the average performance of 15-year-old students across reading, mathematics, and science since 2015. The latest assessment, which included computer-based problem-solving skills, shows a notable drop in reading comprehension. Experts suggest this decline in the ability to interpret and evaluate information may be linked to increased digitalization and reduced time spent reading for entertainment.