Hungary ranks 32nd in the World in Digital Quality of Life Index 2021

The third annual edition of the Digital Quality of Life Index (DQL) ranks Hungary 32nd among 110 countries. Covering 90% of the global population, the DQL study is conducted by the cybersecurity company Surfshark and evaluates countries based on a set of five fundamental digital wellbeing pillars. Hungary ranks slightly higher in e-security (28th) and internet quality (29th), but shows comparatively mediocre results in internet affordability (37th), e-infrastructure (32nd) and e-government (45th).

Overall, Hungary has demonstrated a notable drop compared to DQL 2020, falling from 25th place to 32nd and staying behind Poland and the Czech Republic. Despite this, the country ranks 8th globally in broadband internet speed (167.815 Mbps) and it’s 3 times faster than in Ukraine (61.921 Mbps). Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic,

Hungary’s broadband speed has improved by 51 %.

 Hungary has room for improvement in specific areas, especially internet affordability, which decreased by 55% compared to last year. This year, Hungarians have to spend almost 2 hours per month to afford the cheapest broadband internet package, 1h and 33 minutes more than in 2020. 

The research shows that compared to Poland, Hungary ranks lower in internet affordability, e-security and e-government, but shows higher results in internet quality and e-infrastructure.

“Digital opportunities have proved to be more important than ever during the COVID-19 crisis, stressing the importance for every country to ensure fully remote operational capacities for their economies,”

– explains Vytautas Kaziukonis, CEO of Surfshark. “That is why, for the third year in a row, we continue the Digital Quality of Life research, which provides a robust global outlook into how countries excel digitally. The index sets the basis for meaningful discussions about how digital advancement impacts a country’s prosperity and where improvements can be made.”

In an all-around picture, 6 out of 10 countries holding the highest scores are located in Europe, following last year’s trend.