Hungary projected to outgrow Czech and Slovak economies by 2026

The International Monetary Fund's latest outlook indicates that Hungary will experience a stronger GDP expansion than the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 2026, marking a shift from previous stagnation. The fund also projects Hungary to keep a growth advantage over Slovakia in 2027, while expecting the Czech Republic to grow at a slightly higher pace than Hungary in the same period. The OECD's June forecast aligns with these trends, albeit with a more optimistic view of Czech growth.

Regionally, Poland is slated to retain the highest growth rate through 2026 and 2027, whereas Romania is predicted to slip into contraction this year before returning to growth next year. The forecasts highlight lingering risks such as rising energy prices, weaker European demand, and potential trade conflicts that could dampen growth prospects.