The study found that only half of Hungarian adults engage in regular physical activity, and just one in three undergo regular medical screening despite the potential financial benefits of preventive healthcare.
The fact that most Hungarians put more trust into vitamins instead of regular exercise or preventative screening is somewhat surprising, considering that the survey found that the overwhelming majority of Hungarians (79%) consider conscious health preservation important.
The study also highlighted sizeable demographic differences in health-conscious behavior. Women and individuals with higher education levels are more likely to take proactive steps toward maintaining their health.
Among those with a higher education degree, 88% consider health preservation important, compared to 73% of those with secondary education and 79% with only primary education.
OTP Health Fund also found that interest in health-conscious living increases proportionally with age: approximately 55% of people aged 60 and above prioritize their health, compared to just 27% of those under 40.
Maintaining good health requires active effort, including using medicinal products, regular physical activity, and a healthy diet. However, the OTP Health Fund notes that other preventive services, such as physiotherapy, massage therapy, and medical screening, can contribute to a person’s well-being.
Hungarians, however, tend to equate health-consciousness with popping a pill every now and then, regardless of their age, gender, education, or even place of residence. Some 70% of respondents reported taking vitamins or other medicinal supplements as their primary preventive measure.
Meanwhile, only about half of those surveyed said they engage in regular exercise and try to maintain a healthy diet. Interestingly, the highest proportion of regular exercisers was found among those over 60 at 53%, while 18-39-year-olds had the lowest rate of physical activity at 45%.
Fewer than one in three people attend medical screenings, considered the most crucial element of disease prevention. The difference between the sexes is also apparent here, as one-third of women said they undergo regular screenings, compared to only a quarter of men.
At the lower end of the spectrum, the least popular preventive services, according to the survey, are physiotherapy (4%) and massage therapy (10%). According to the findings, younger individuals are more likely to use massage therapy than older adults.
“Hungarians are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of health preservation, which is reflected in our Health Fund data,” said József Budai, CEO of OTP Health Fund.
“In the first half of 2024, the number of health fund members using their accounts for medical screenings increased by more than 1.5 times compared to the same period in 2023. A wide range of preventive services are eligible for reimbursement, including medical screenings, acupuncture, certain vitamins, dietary supplements, and even massages.”
While health is considered a priority by many, Hungarians spend very little of their disposable income on healthcare. The OTP Health Fund survey found that about 45% of respondents spend less than HUF 50,000 (approximately EUR 130) per annum on health preservation, which just about covers the monthly box of vitamin supplements for the year. Another 22% reported spending between HUF 50,000 and 100,000 annually, while just 5% said they allocate more than HUF 300,000 to health-related expenses.
“Health fund members have greater financial flexibility to invest in long-term health preservation. They can claim a 20% tax refund on contributions, up to HUF 150,000 annually,” Budai explained. “Few people know that an additional 10% tax refund is available for preventive screenings prescribed by a doctor, which is included in the maximum HUF 150,000 refund.”
The results of a different survey conducted by Generali show that the Hungarian public is very concerned about their health: when asked what they would wish for themselves in 2025, a higher proportion of respondents, more than a third, would like something related to health.
Meanwhile, some 14% would like to have a more balanced private life, and 14% would like a new job that pays better than the one they have now. Some 12% of respondents want a new home, and 5% want a new car. Attitudes towards health wishes also change with age: while only a fifth of 16-29-year-olds had a health-related wish, 44% of 50-59-year-olds and 60% of 60-75-year-olds did.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of February 21, 2025.
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