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The survey, based on a sample of nearly 600 respondents, indicates that while economic sentiment remains uncertain, openness to technological development is strengthening.
Perceptions of the country’s economic outlook have shifted significantly in recent years. In 2024, 47% of companies expected conditions to deteriorate, rising to 58% in 2025 before easing to 43% in 2026.
The share of businesses expecting unchanged conditions stood at 43% this year, compared with 42% in 2025 and 37% in 2024. Meanwhile, 14% anticipate an improvement, up from zero last year but below the 16% recorded in 2024.
The data suggest a slightly less pessimistic but still cautious corporate sentiment compared with last year.
Companies continue to view their own prospects more favorably than the broader economy.
This year, 33% expect a worse year for their own business, unchanged from 2025 but up from 21% in 2024. The share expecting stable operations fell to 48% in 2026 from nearly two-thirds last year and 63% in 2024.
Employment expectations reflect cautious optimism. Most companies do not plan significant changes in headcount, although some expect modest increases or decreases.
Wage growth plans have declined markedly. While nearly 70% of businesses planned pay rises in 2024, that figure dropped to 42% in 2025, reflecting easing inflation pressures and more cautious compensation strategies.
At the same time, willingness to invest has increased. Some 67% of companies planned investments in 2025, up from 53% in 2024, even without relying on grant funding.
However, subsidies remain important: 8% of respondents in 2025 said they would only proceed with investments if grant funding were available, down from 21% in 2024. Around a quarter of companies said they do not plan any investments.
One of the most notable changes is the sharp decline in crisis preparedness. While 83% of companies had a crisis plan in 2024, that fell to 32% in 2025 and just 25% in 2026.
The survey also highlighted growing interest in artificial intelligence. Some 62% of companies are examining the introduction of AI or automation solutions, including 24% that already use such technologies and 10% that plan to adopt them. Only 5% said they are not dealing with the issue at all.
Businesses cited regulatory uncertainty as their biggest challenge, with around 60% identifying it as a key concern across all three years surveyed.
High payroll taxes were mentioned by 25% of respondents, while 16% pointed to inflation as a significant issue.
“The survey shows that companies still see the economic environment as uncertain, but are increasingly turning toward efficiency-enhancing solutions,” said Lajos Bagdi, a partner at Niveus. “Technological developments, particularly automation and the application of artificial intelligence, are becoming an integral part of corporate strategy.”
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