Operating costs of Hungarian state drop to 5.3% of GDP in 2005

Although the state spent less on operating costs in terms of GDP in 2005, it spent more in absolute terms, the closing of the 2005 budget, submitted recently to Parliament, reveals. The state spent a cash flow-based Ft 1,146 billion on operating costs in 2005, slightly more than the Ft 1,105 billion spent in 2004. Operating costs were equivalent to 5.3% of GDP in 2005 and 5.4% of GDP in 2004. Operating costs of Hungary's legislative and executive bodies came to Ft 169 billion in 2005 compared to Ft 163 billion in 2004. The state spent Ft 46 billion on basic research and just Ft 208 million on technical developments in 2005, compared to Ft 40 billion and Ft 24 million, respectively, in 2004. Defense costs came to Ft 270 billion in 2005, Ft 8 billion more than in 2004. The cost of public security and measures to preserve order came to Ft 416 billion in 2005, Ft 21 billion more than in 2004. Operating costs of Hungary's judicial system were Ft 107 billion in 2005, Ft 6 billion more than in 2004. Maintaining public security cost Ft 257 billion in 2005, Ft 16 billion more than in 2004. Fire departments required Ft 14.5 billion to operate in 2005, Ft 1.5 billion less than in 2004. (Mti-Eco)