Transparency (Open Budget Index) 49/100
The Government of Hungary provides the public with limited budget information.
Public Participation 31/100
Hungary is weak in providing the public with opportunities to engage in the budget process.
Budget Oversight
By legislature 58/100
Budget oversight by the legislature in Hungary is limited.
By auditor 83/100
Budget oversight by the supreme audit institution in Hungary is adequate.
Recommendations
Improving Transparency
Hungary should prioritize the following actions to improve budget transparency:
- Produce and publish a Pre-Budget Statement, a Citizens Budget, and a Mid-Year Review.
- Increase the comprehensiveness of the Executive’s Budget Proposal by, for example, presenting more data on debt, including its composition and interest rates.
- Increase the comprehensiveness of the Year-End Report by presenting, for example, a detailed narrative discussion explaining differences between planned versus actual outcomes.
- Publish the tables and data in budget documents in a machine-readable format.
Improving Participation
Hungary should prioritize the following actions to improve budget participation:
- Establish credible and effective mechanisms (i.e., public hearings, surveys, focus groups) for capturing a range of public perspectives on budget matters.
- Hold legislative hearings on the budgets of specific ministries, departments, and agencies at which testimony from the public is heard.
- Establish formal mechanisms for the public to participate in audit investigations.
Improving Oversight
Hungary should prioritize the following actions to strengthen budget oversight:
- Ensure the legislature holds a pre-budget debate and the outcome is reflected in the Enacted Budget.
- Establish regular consultations on budget matters between the executive and the legislature.