Changes

[[Image:HUF 500 1998 reverse.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Hungarian Forint (reverse)]]

[[Image:HUF 500 1998 reverse.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Hungarian Forint (reverse)]]

{{main|Economy of Hungary}}

{{main|Economy of Hungary}}

Hungary continues to demonstrate [[economic growth]] as one of the newest member countries of the European Union (since 2004). The private sector accounts for over 80% of [[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]]. Hungary gets nearly one third of all [[foreign direct investment]] flowing in to Central Europe. [[Foreign ownership]] of and investment in Hungarian firms are widespread, with cumulative foreign direct investment totalling more than US$23 billion since 1989. The Hungarian sovereign debt's [[credit rating]] is BBB+ [[As of 2006|as of July 2006]], making Hungary the only other country in the EU apart from Poland not to enjoy an A grade score. [[Inflation]] and [[unemployment]] have been on the rise in the past few years, and they are expected to rise further. Foreign investors' trust in the Hungarian economy has declined, as they deem that the stringency measures planned in the second half of 2006 are not satisfactory, their focus being mainly on increasing the income side rather than curbing government spendings. Economic reform measures such as [[health care reform]], [[tax reform]], and [[local government]] financing are being addressed by the present government.

Hungary continues to demonstrate [[economic growth]] as one of the newest member countries of the European Union (since 2004). The private sector accounts for over 80% of [[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]]. Hungary gets nearly one third of all [[foreign direct investment]] flowing in to Central Europe. [[Foreign ownership]] of and investment in Hungarian firms are widespread, with cumulative foreign direct investment totalling more than US$23 billion since 1989. The Hungarian sovereign debt's [[credit rating]] is BBB+ [[As of 2006|as of July 2006]], making Hungary the only other country in the EU apart from Poland not to enjoy an A grade score. [[Inflation]] and [[unemployment]] have been on the rise in the past few years, and they are expected to rise further. Foreign investors' trust in the Hungarian economy has declined, as they deem that the stringency measures planned in the second half of [[2006]] are not satisfactory, their focus being mainly on increasing the income side rather than curbing government spendings. Economic reform measures such as [[health care reform]], [[tax reform]], and [[local government]] financing are being addressed by the present government.

The Hungarian government has expressed a desire to adopt the [[euro]] currency between 2010 and 2014<ref>[http://vg.hu/index.php?apps=cikk&cikk=164181 "Gyurcsány modifies date"], [[Világgazdaság]]</ref>. However, foreign analysts widely criticised that date (2010) as highly unrealistic given the current shape of the economy in relation to the [[Maastricht criteria]]; their assessments suggest that a date of 2013-2014 for Euro adoption is more realistic.

The Hungarian government has expressed a desire to adopt the [[euro]] currency between 2010 and 2014<ref>[http://vg.hu/index.php?apps=cikk&cikk=164181 "Gyurcsány modifies date"], [[Világgazdaság]]</ref>. However, foreign analysts widely criticised that date (2010) as highly unrealistic given the current shape of the economy in relation to the [[Maastricht criteria]]; their assessments suggest that a date of 2013-2014 for Euro adoption is more realistic.