Getting to know the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency through
open data
Publication Date/Time
2024-11-19T10:00:00+00:00
Country
Global
Open data provides insights into the EU’s demographic challenges,
cohesion policies and market competitiveness
In July 2024, Hungary
[https://hungarian-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/presidency/hungarian-presidency/]
assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union
[https://european-union.europa.eu/institutions-law-budget/institutions-and-bodies/search-all-eu-institutions-and-bodies/council-european-union_en],
one of the key institutions responsible for EU decision-making
[https://european-union.europa.eu/institutions-law-budget/law/how-eu-policy-decided_en].
Hungary’s term follows that of Spain and Belgium, marking the final
phase of an 18-month cycle
[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/council-eu/presidency-council-eu/].
This 'trio presidency
[https://hungarian-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/programme/trio-presidency-programme/]'
system allows for continuity and coordinated progress, as each country
builds on the work of its predecessors while advancing its own
priorities. For further insights into Spain
[https://data.europa.eu/en/publications/datastories/getting-know-spain-through-open-data]’s
and Belgium
[https://data.europa.eu/en/publications/datastories/using-open-data-explore-belgiums-priorities-council-european-union]’s
presidencies, explore previous data stories. 

During their trio presidency, Spain, Belgium and Hungary have
collaborated to address shared challenges. Key priorities include
enhancing the EU’s resilience and strategic autonomy, advancing the
green and digital transitions, ensuring fairness and inclusivity in
these transitions and strengthening international partnerships and
trade.  

Within this broader context, Hungary’s presidency focuses on seven
priorities
[https://hungarian-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/programme/priorities/],
three of which this story explores: (1) addressing demographic
challenges, (2) shaping the future of cohesion policy, and (3)
advancing the new European competitiveness deal. These priorities are
interconnected. Through open data, we can gain valuable insights into
these priorities and track the progress of key EU economic and
political developments in these areas. 

 

_Section 1: Addressing demographic challenges with open data_ 

One of Hungary’s key priorities during its presidency is addressing
demographic issues, which include an ageing population, the need to
ensure that welfare systems remain sustainable, and pressure on the
labour market. According to the Eurobarometer 2023
[https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/3112], 42 % of EU
citizens identify population ageing as the most pressing demographic
challenge, while 40 % highlight a shrinking working-age population
and labour shortages.  

Figure 1 illustrates how concerns vary across EU Member States. For
instance, concerns relating to population ageing are particularly
pronounced in Poland, where 57 % of citizens identify it as the top
demographic challenge, followed by countries like the Netherlands,
Portugal and Spain. In contrast, Belgium, Denmark, Romania and
Lithuania are more concerned about shrinking working-age population
and labour shortages. Migration and integration are seen as the most
significant issues in countries such as Germany and Luxembourg, while
Hungary and Slovakia consider depopulation and brain drain to be
pressing concerns. Finally, declining fertility rates are perceived as
critical in Finland (57 %), but also Latvia and Estonia, where lower
birth rates threaten the future size of the working-age population. 

Open data plays a crucial role in addressing these demographic
challenges. It offers insights into workforce trends, migration
patterns and social needs, which can help design effective strategies
to mobilise the inactive working-age population and ensure sustainable
welfare systems. Explore the dataset
[https://data.europa.eu/data/datasets/s3112_fl534_eng?locale=en]
further to uncover more about EU citizens’ perspectives on these
demographic issues.   

 

 
[https://data.europa.eu/sites/default/files/img/media/13.Hungarian-Presidency4-01.png]
FIGURE 1: MOST-INDICATED DEMOGRAPHIC CHALLENGE PER MEMBER STATE 

_SOURCE_: DATA.EUROPA.EU
[https://data.europa.eu/data/datasets/s3112_fl534_eng?locale=en],
EUROBAROMETER [https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/3112]. 

 

_Section 2: Open data at the core of cohesion policy_ 

Cohesion policy, also known as the regional policy of the EU, aims to
improve the economic well-being of regions across the EU while
reducing regional disparities. This policy addresses all EU regions
and cities by focusing on sustainable development, economic growth,
job creation and improving quality of life through strategic
investment. It represents a form of EU solidarity, enabling people in
less-developed regions to seize the opportunities created by the
world’s largest market. 

As the EU’s main investment tool, cohesion policy
[https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/policy/what/investment-policy_en]
plays a vital role in driving competitiveness and strengthening the
single market
[https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market_en]. Despite
these efforts, significant development gaps remain
[https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/information-sources/cohesion-report_en],
with over a quarter of the EU population living in regions that are
below 75 % of the EU’s average development level. During its
presidency, Hungary seeks to initiate a strategic debate on the future
of cohesion policy, focusing on how it can boost competitiveness,
enhance employment and tackle demographic challenges.  

As shown in Figure 2, regional gross domestic product (GDP) growth
in the EU between 2001 and 2021 reveals stark differences. Eastern
European countries have experienced growth above the EU average, with
their GDP per capita rising from 52 % of the EU average to nearly
80 % [https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/stories/s/fiy9-2zvn]. This
remarkable progress can be attributed to a combination of factors,
including the ‘catch-up’ effect seen in less-developed regions and
the benefits of EU membership, including access to structural funds,
investments and the single market. Meanwhile, Scandinavia presents a
more mixed picture, with some regions thriving while others lag
behind, due to variations in economic structures and regional
challenges. Western Europe, on the other hand, generally shows
below-average growth, though certain regions like Galicia and
Extremadura in Spain stand out by exceeding both the EU and their
national averages.  

These variations in regional growth rates underscore the importance of
continued, targeted policies to reduce disparities and foster balanced
development across the EU. Open data is essential in tracking the
progress of cohesion policy and shaping future strategies that address
regional differences effectively. You can explore more insights into
the EU’s regional policies and their impact here
[https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/information-sources/cohesion-report_en]! 

 

 
[https://data.europa.eu/sites/default/files/img/media/13.Hungarian-Presidency4-02.png]
FIGURE 2: REGIONAL GROWTH OF GDP PER CAPITA COMPARED TO GROWTH BY
MEMBER STATE AND IN THE EU, 2001–2021 

_SOURCE_: EUROPEAN COMMISSION
[https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/information-sources/cohesion-report_en]. 

 

 

_Section 3: New European competitiveness deal through the open data
lens _ 

When it comes to the EU’s single market priorities
[https://commission.europa.eu/news/eu-leaders-call-strengthening-eus-competitiveness-2024-04-19_en],
one of Hungary’s top objectives is to strengthen the EU’s
long-term competitiveness through a new European competitiveness deal
[https://hungarian-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/events/informal-meeting-of-competitiveness-ministers-internal-market-and-industry-8-97/].
In this plan, energy plays a crucial role in driving the digital and
environmental transitions while helping Member States achieve greater
energy independence. 

Figure 3 offers valuable insights into two key metrics: the share of
energy from renewable sources and the diversity of energy supply
across Member States. Sweden leads the EU in the first metric, with
66 % of its energy coming from renewable sources. Finland (48 %)
and Latvia (43 %) follow, reflecting their strong commitments to
renewable energy, a critical component of long-term competitiveness
and environmental sustainability.  

Countries like Finland and Sweden show high shares of renewable energy
and also have a relatively low diversity index of energy supply (below
0.15). A lower index indicates a more diversified energy mix, making
them less reliant on any single energy source and potentially more
resilient to energy supply disruptions. By contrast, Malta has the
highest energy mix index (above 0.35), which suggests it may be more
vulnerable to disruptions if one source becomes unavailable. As
expected, countries with a higher share of renewable energy tend to
have a better (lower) diversity index of energy supply and vice
versa. 

Open data is essential not only for tracking the EU’s progress
towards environmental goals, but also for evaluating and refining
energy policies that directly impact the EU’s competitiveness. By
analysing such data, policymakers can identify gaps, anticipate risks
and implement strategies to ensure that all Member States contribute
to and benefit from the energy transition. 

 

 

 
[https://data.europa.eu/sites/default/files/img/media/13.Hungarian-Presidency4-03.png]
FIGURE 3: SHARE OF ENERGY FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES AND DIVERSITY INDEX
OF ENERGY SUPPLY BY MEMBER STATE 

_SOURCE_: EUROSTAT
[https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/nrg_ind_di/default/table?lang=en],
DATA.EUROPA.EU
[https://data.europa.eu/data/datasets/ugzjjqqxprghdux2qhhhva?locale=en]. 

 

_Conclusion_ 

This data story explored three of the Hungarian Presidency’s key
priorities, aligned with the shared goals of the trio presidency,
while addressing new issues. Open data on demographic trends
underscores the pressing need to address labour shortages, while data
on cohesion policy reveals ongoing regional disparities when it comes
to growth. Data on competitiveness highlights the progress towards
strengthening the EU’s position in domains such as energy
independence. These challenges are deeply interconnected and have a
significant impact on the EU’s overall economic performance. 

Curious to learn more about how these issues influence Hungary’s
other priorities? Explore the available datasets on data.europa.eu
[https://data.europa.eu/en], and stay updated with our latest data
stories and webinars by subscribing to our newsletter
[https://data.europa.eu/en/newsletter] and following data.europa.eu on
social media. 

 

 

DATA.EUROPA.EU'S DATASETS USED IN THE DATA STORY

_Section 1: Addressing demographic challenges with open data_ 

 

_Section 3: New European competitiveness deal through the open data
lens _ 

