How many Serbians live in Hungary?

Published: June 12 2023

The Balkans and Eastern Europe possess a rich and intricate history that has shaped the region's cultural makeup and demographics. One aspect of this is the presence of ethnic Serbians living in Hungary, a neighboring country with a shared history. In this blog post, we will delve into the number of Serbians living in Hungary and the factors that have influenced their presence in this country.

Understanding the presence of Serbians in Hungary requires a brief overview of the historical events that influenced the migration of Serbian people to Hungary.

In the late Middle Ages, the territory of present-day Serbia was conquered by the Ottoman Empire, leading to significant migration waves of Serbians into the neighboring Hungarian territories governed by the Habsburg Monarchy. This migration resulted in a Serbian population being established in Hungary over time.

After the end of World War I, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (later renamed the Kingdom of Yugoslavia) was established. During this period, borders shifted, and people found themselves either living within the newly formed Yugoslav borders or within the Hungarian state.

After World War II, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was created, which again altered the borders and distribution of Serbian populations. The newly defined borders of the SFRY resulted in a smaller percentage of the Serbian population residing within Hungary.

The most recent Hungarian census data is from 2011. According to the census, 7,210 people identified as ethnic Serbians residing in Hungary. This accounts for roughly 0.07% of Hungary's total population. Serbians represent the seventh-largest ethnic minority group within the country.

It is worth noting that changes in political boundaries, migration, intermarriage, and assimilation into the Hungarian culture may have affected the number of people identifying as ethnic Serbians over time. Furthermore, some Serbian citizens reside temporarily in Hungary due to work, study, or family reasons, complicating the exact number of Serbians living in Hungary.

Despite their relatively small population in the country, Serbians have maintained a distinct cultural presence within Hungary. Serbian cultural organizations, schools, and religious institutions exist in several cities, particularly in southern Hungary, contributing to the preservation and promotion of Serbian heritage and traditions.

In summary, based on the 2011 Hungarian census, there are 7,210 Serbians living in Hungary, representing approximately 0.07% of the total population. Historical events within the region have shaped the distribution and presence of the Serbian population in Hungary over the centuries. Today, Serbians continue to nurture their cultural identity and maintain strong ties with their ancestral roots, despite their relatively small numbers within the country.