National Reform Programme 2011, Hungary

In March 2011, the Hungarian government announced the Szell Kalman Plan, the aim of which was to cut the burden of debt constraining the development of the Hungarian economy. The aims of the Szell Kalman Plan include the reduction of public debt and the restructuring of mismanaged areas of the economy as well as boosting economic growth. To realise these aims reform measures have been announced in key areas including the labour market, the pension and welfare system, public transport, education, prescription drug subsidies, public administration, state and local government finance and administration. It is anticipated that these measures will increase employment levels and boost economic activity as well as cutting public debt at sustainable levels and balancing the government’s budget.

Under the planned programme of reform, a series of measures will be implemented to take into account the national targets set under the Europe 2020 strategy. These include measures in the following areas: employment; research & development; innovation; climate change and energy efficiency; education; and poverty reduction. Health status is specifically referred to in the “employment” and “poverty” areas with a plan to increase “employment by improving the health condition of the population and facilitating active and healthy ageing” as well as developing methods to enhance the health status of poor and disadvantaged groups (especially the Roma population) through special programmes designed to improve their health-consciousness and assuring greater accessibility to health care services.

Original title: Nemzeti Reformprogram

Find more information on the programme here