Health impacts of air pollution

Similarly to the EU trend, the number of premature deaths attributable to particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM_2.5) halved in Hungary between 2005 and 2022.

PM_2.5 emissions mainly come from domestic solid fuel. In order to reduce PM_2.5 emissions, a number of programmes have been implemented in recent years, aiming to ensure the energy modernisation of residential properties and raise public awareness of air pollution. An increasing number of settlements have banned the burning of garden waste and encourage composting.

The Hungarian government is committed to continuously reducing pollutant emissions and improving ambient air quality. The government has amended the emission limits for industrial plants for several toxic air pollutants, setting stricter limits than those in EU regulations, and has allowed environmental authorities to prescribe stricter limit values in permits, regardless of the type of activity, halving limits or reducing them to one fifth of the previous values. However, further efforts are still needed to achieve Hungary’s air quality goals.

Air quality in Hungary improved significantly between 2005 and 2023. Based on the values of the overall Air Pollution Index, the proportion of measuring stations rated ‘good’ was almost 88% in 2023.