Prime minister Orban’s earnings raise eyebrows amid Hungary's disparity

Viktor Orban, Hungary's Prime Minister, receives a monthly salary of 6,300,000 forints (approximately CAD 24,000). According to experts, this is a significant amount on a European scale.

According to Peter Bucsky from the Hungarian economic portal G7, quoted by RTL television, Orban's earnings are considerable by European standards.

Although Orban's salary is not the highest among European leaders, Hungary has the most significant disparity between the Prime Minister's income and its citizens' average standard of living.

In mid-2023, Orban’s salary increased by over 620,000 forints (now CAD 2300,00), reaching 4,180,000 forints (CAD 16,000). Additionally, the Prime Minister receives a parliamentary allowance. Despite his high earnings, the Prime Minister’s savings are relatively modest, as noted by Hungarian media. This year, Orban declared savings of 10,000,000 forints (CAD 38,000), which is a decrease of 4,000,000 forints compared to the previous year.

In last year’s asset declaration, the Hungarian Prime Minister reported two properties: one in Budapest and one in Felcsut in northern Hungary, where he grew up. Additionally, he reported a liability of 14,000,000 forints (CAD 53,000) to a credit institution on a joint account with his spouse.

At that time, the media reported that Orban "does not own a car, boat, plane, or any other movable property, nor is he a shareholder in any company nor does he have money in a private equity fund."

In Hungary, the Prime Minister’s salary is tied to the salary of the Speaker of Parliament, which automatically increases with the rise in the average gross salary in the country.