The ministry acknowledged that the deficit had risen faster during the first half of the year because of "known trends and one-off expenditures."

The central budget deficit reached HUF 2.752 tln at the end of May, and the social security funds were HUF 67.3 billion in the red.

Separate state funds had a HUF 56.5 bln surplus. In May alone, the deficit reached HUF 53.6 bln, the lowest for the month in seven years, the ministry said.