Hungarian companies are tempering their economic gloom but staying firmly cautious, with 43% now expecting a deteriorating outlook over the next year, down from 58% in 2025, while a surging 62% probe AI and automation, per Niveus Consulting’s latest survey of nearly 600 firms.
Self-views hold steadier: 33% foresee their own business weakening (flat comparing to last year), 48% stability and 14% growth, buoyed by rising investment appetite amid fading crisis prep.
Economic sentiment has seesawed: 47% predicted downturns in 2024, peaking at 58% last year before this 43% retreat, with stable expectations ticking to 43% and optimists edging from 0% to 14%.
Firms eye own fates rosier than the macro picture, but hiring stays muted, most hold headcount steady, wage hikes crater from 70% (2024) to 42% (2025). Investments rebound: 67% plan capex (vs 53% 2024), just 8% grant-dependent (down from 21%), 25% sit out.
Tech beckons as 62% of respondents mull AI/automation (24% in use, 10% imminently), only 5% ignore it, fuelling a pivot even as crisis readiness craters to 25% from 83% (2024).
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