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Environmental information systems
Hungary is a land locked country with a terrestrial area of close to 93,000km² and bordered by 7 other countries. It consists largely of plain but also number of mountain ranges as well as Lake Balaton, the largest lake in central Europe. The highest point is Kékes at 1,014m. Hungary has a population of 9.7 million people and a population density of 105 people per km².
of land
is covered
by protected areas
species
are protected
under EU law
habitats
are protected
under EU law
Sources: Terrestrial protected area coverage by country and in the EU-27 by the end of 2023, Conservation status of habitat types and species: datasets from Article 17, Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC reporting (2013-2018).
In 2023, of 's land was designated as protected areas, falling below the EU value of 26.4%.
The data sources and related statistics refer to 2023, therefore aligned with the EEA indicators: Designated terrestrial protected areas in Europe, Natura 2000 sites designated under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives.
Percentage of area covered by protected areas
Evolution of area covered by protected areas
From 2012 to 2023 the share of terrestrial protected areas in remains stable.
The EU Biodiversity Strategy has set a target of reaching 30% protected area coverage at the EU level by 2030.
If you want to know more about the Biodiversity Strategy, you can explore the Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) and in particular the Dashboard section showing progress of the EU and its Member States towards the Biodiversity Strategy targets set for 2030.
Distribution of protected areas between national designations and Natura 2000
In the majority of protected areas in the terrestrial environment, accounting for are designated as Natura 2000 sites, indicating their importance in conserving biodiversity and natural habitats.
Spatial distribution of protected areas network
Protected areas designated under national laws
Designated sites in the Natura 2000 network
Size distribution of protected areas network
The majority (35%) of protected areas in are 1-10km2 in size and the proportion of smaller protected areas (less than 1km2) is 29%, which is lower than the EU average. About 2% of protected areas are larger than 1,000km2.
A focus on Natura 2000 sites in
has a total of Natura 2000 sites, they are designated under the Birds Directive, encompassing Special Protection Areas (SPA), and the Habitats Directive, encompassing Sites of Community Importance (SCI). Many sites are designated under both Directives.
Species protected in under EU law fall under the Habitats and Birds Directives. hosts protected under the Habitats Directive, which is approximately 15% of the total of the Habitats Directive’s species and protected birds, which is approximately 50% of the species protected under the Birds Directive.
The figures are based on data electronically reported by the Member States under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) on the conservation status of habitat types and species for the 2013–2018 reporting period.
species protected under EU law
species under the Habitats Directive
species under the Birds Directive
Conservation Status of species: Habitats Directive
In , the share of species assessments with good conservation status ( is approximately equal to EU level corresponding to 27.5%. However, the share of assessments with bad conservation status ( is higher than at EU level, which is 20.6%.
Protected species composition by taxonomic group
In , the distribution of protected species across taxonomic groups highlights the prominence of birds, comprising the largest proportion at 52.2%. They are followed by arthropods, accounting for 13.9% of protected species, and mammals, representing 9.6%.
Conservation Status by Taxa
In , the assessment of species groups reveals that fish have the highest proportion of species with a good conservation status, standing at 83.3%. Following behind are amphibians, with 50% of species in good conservation status and reptiles, standing at 41.6%. On the other hand, reptiles exhibit the highest percentage of species in bad conservation status, reaching 25%. Most of the assessments of the species groups reported by Hungary have a poor conservation status.
Habitats protected in under EU law fall under the Habitats Directive. hosts habitat types, which is approximately 19.3% of the total of habitat types protected by the Habitats Directive.
The figures are based on data electronically reported by the Member States under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) on the conservation status of habitat types and species for the 2013–2018 reporting period.
habitats protected under EU law in
Conservation status of habitats
In 13.3% of habitats assessments indicate a good conservation status which is slightly below the EU average of 14.7%. The proportion of assessments indicating a bad conservation status, amounting to 20.8%, is below the EU average of 35.8%.
Protected habitat composition by group
In the group of protected habitats with the largest number consists of forests, accounting for 28.8% of the total. Following closely behind are grasslands, encompassing 26.6% of the protected habitats.
Conservation status by group
In the assessment of habitat groups reveals that rocky habitats have the highest proportion of good conservation status, standing at 80%. Following behind are bogs, mires and fens, with 20% of habitat types in good conservation status. On the other hand, sclerophyllous scrub and dune habitats exhibit the highest percentage of habitat types with a bad conservation status, reaching 100%.
Hungary is predominantly characterised by two main types of ecosystems: agroecosystems, which cover 65.8% of the country, followed by forest ecosystems occupying 23.2% of the land area. While urban areas account for 6.8%, Hungary has relatively smaller proportions of rivers and lakes (1.7%), heathlands (1.6%), and wetland ecosystems (0.9%).
The figures are based on the dataset "Ecosystem types of Europe 2012 - Full map (marine and terrestrial habitats) - version 3 revision 1, Feb. 2019".
In terms of the protected area network, agroecosystems constitute the largest portion, covering 45.4% of the protected areas, reflecting the importance of conserving and managing agricultural landscapes for biodiversity. Forest ecosystems make up 43% and rivers and lakes account for 6.7% of the protected areas, emphasizing the significance of protecting nature within aquatic ecosystems. Wetlands contribute to 3% of the protected areas, while urban areas represent 1%, and heathlands comprise 1%.