Debrecen4U
April 9, 2026
Industrial Growth in Hajdú‑Bihar County Soars to New Heights
In February 2026, the volume of industrial production in Hungary was 1.5 per cent lower than a year earlier. The working-day adjusted index was identical to the unadjusted figure, according to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH). Based on seasonally and working-day adjusted data, industrial output was 1.8 per cent lower than in January 2026.
An analysis of regional data shows that, although the KSH has so far only published figures for January, while most counties in the country recorded a decline or stagnation in industrial output, Hajdú-Bihar saw an outstanding increase.
In October, growth was 12.8 per cent, followed by 11.6 per cent in November and 13.6 per cent in December compared to the same months of the previous year. For the whole of 2025, industrial production in Hajdú-Bihar County increased by 11.6 per cent, the best result nationwide.
The county is followed by Komárom-Esztergom County with 10.9 per cent growth, while Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County ranks third with a 3.3 per cent increase.
The momentum has not slowed in 2026; in fact, in January this year, industrial production in Hajdú-Bihar rose by 35.9 per cent compared to January 2025—by far the most outstanding result in the country.
This was approached only by Komárom-Esztergom County (27.7 per cent), while other counties recorded only modest growth or even declines.
Experts indicated last autumn that the performance of the BMW plant in Debrecen, which began mass production at the end of October, would likely become more prominent in the December data, and would have an even greater impact on industrial production figures in 2026.
It has also recently been reported that demand for the award-winning BMW iX3—named both World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle of the Year—is so strong that a second shift was introduced at the Debrecen plant earlier than planned. This suggests that the factory’s performance may contribute even more significantly to industrial growth than previously expected.
Moreover, BMW is establishing a new business centre in Debrecen, creating a further 50 jobs.
The dynamic growth of Debrecen’s economy is reflected not only in industrial production figures but also in the municipality’s revenues from local business tax, which have quadrupled since 2010.
In the city’s 2026 budget, HUF 41.5 billion in local business tax revenue is projected. This means that, after Budapest, Debrecen now has the highest such revenue, surpassing both Győr and Székesfehérvár.
Source and photo credit: dehir.hu
