Do many people speak Serbian in Hungary?

Published: June 08 2023

Hungary, being a Central European nation, is a melting pot of different cultures and languages. Its official language is Hungarian, but the presence of minority groups and its geographical location mean that a variety of other languages can be heard within its borders. One such language is Serbian, spoken by a percentage of the population with roots in Serbia, a neighboring country to Hungary.

To understand the presence of the Serbian language in Hungary, it is essential to consider the historical ties between the countries. The arrival of the Serbian people in Hungary began in the late Middle Ages as they sought refuge from the Ottoman Empire. This migration continued during the 16th and 17th centuries, the later reaching a peak in the 18th and early 19th centuries when regions of present-day Serbia were under Habsburg rule.

These historical events contributed to the establishment of significant Serbian communities across Hungary, resulting in the presence of the Serbian language within the country.

According to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH), the 2011 census reported that around 7,210 people in Hungary identified as ethnic Serbs, accounting for approximately 0.07% of the country's population. It should be noted that this number could be an underestimate, as the census was based on self-identification, and some individuals with Serbian roots may not have declared themselves as such.

Among the Serbian population in Hungary, the Serbian language is spoken as a mother tongue and remains an essential aspect of preserving their cultural identity. Though the number of speakers is relatively small compared to the overall population, this linguistic community still represents a notable presence within Hungary.

The majority of Serbian speakers in Hungary can be found in the southern regions of the country, especially in the Bács-Kiskun and Csongrád-Csanád counties. Additionally, larger cities such as Budapest, Szeged, and Pécs host Serbian communities where the language is spoken.

The Serbian language holds a special status in Hungary due to the rights granted to recognized minority groups under the Hungarian constitution. The Serbian community has the right to use their language in official communications, and Serbian is also an optional subject in some schools. As a result, efforts have been made to promote the teaching and learning of the Serbian language, as well as to support its cultural preservation.

In summary, though the number of Serbian speakers in Hungary is relatively small compared to the overall population, it is an important aspect of the linguistic and cultural diversity within the country. The historical connections, minority recognition rights, and preservation efforts made by Serbian communities in Hungary contribute to the continued presence of the Serbian language in the region.