Growth in the fourth quarter was chiefly due to the outcome of investments of budgetary units and entities, KSH said, and according to seasonally adjusted volume indices, investments grew by 1.9%. Investments in machinery and equipment increased by 17%, while construction investments were down by 0.3% during the period.  

In the last quarter, investments grew by 70% in the public sector, and also grew in ten sections altogether, the most significantly – primarily due to investments in machinery and equipment at the end of the year, financed from EU sources – in human health and social work activities (110%), KSH reported.

Investments increased significantly in education (40%) as well as arts, entertainment and recreation (36%), KSH added. The performance of investments decreased by 4.2% in wholesale and retail trade, and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, according to KSH.

In relation to the whole year, investments in Hungary’s economy were up 0.6% and from this, investments in machinery and equipment rose 4.1%, while construction investments were down by 2.3%, KSH said.

Investments grew by 37% in the public sector over the year, and also in nine sections, the most significantly (49%) in the area of public administration and defence and compulsory social security. The performance of investments rose substantially in human health and social work activities (40%), water supply, sewerage and waste management (24%), electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (21%) and education (20%), according to KSH.