Author Archive

In Hungary the labour market and employment conditions often don’t follow the spirit of inclusive growth. The present Hungarian government made several changes to the country’s Labour Code and also introduced a unique public works scheme. The results of both measures have been heavily debated ever since. Does the goal […]

The European Union as a whole promotes free trade but its Member States try to protect their national economies from its challenges, especially when it comes to agricultural products. Eastern members, such as Hungary, are in a disadvantageous position within the EU primarily because of the lower subsidies they receive […]

High unemployment and low living standards are forcing women in Northern Hungary to go West and seek work in the sex industry. Where do they come from? The current overall unemployment rate in Hungary stands at 10.3% but there are big regional differences. Unemployment in northern Hungary is 13.3% which […]

The Norwegian Oil Fund reinvests state revenues from the country’s petroleum sector to preserve today’s wealth for future generations. This system brings together growth and sustainability – but does it in reality? Norway is known as one of the richest countries in the world. Its fortune is based on its […]

Only very rarely does it happen that the way two nations see each other takes a complete U-turn. But this has happened in Scandinavia. As a Hungarian currently working in Norway, I find this fascinating and I’ve tried to understand how such a turn is possible. For centuries, Norway has been […]