Migration in Hungary 1966-75
In the communist Hungary there was a political softening from the 1960s. During the Kadarian communisms politics changed, the slogan was: ‘who is not against us is with us’. The Hungarians migrated abroad evaluated this changed positively. More and more migrants visited home, these visits became more regular and 2000 people moved back to Hungary. The rate of migration decreased, since the life in the country was much better.
The number of immigrants is estimated to approximately 100 000. They were mainly Hungarians living beyond the borders who moved to the mother country in the hope of the better political atmosphere and higher living standard. The proportion of women was among the immigrants in their 30s and 40s who moved to Hungary exceptionally high.
Despite the political softening the iron curtain and visa requirement restricted moving and also travelling abroad.
In spite of the measurements the illegal moving- the number of people staying abroad illegally- increased at a significant extend. According to the data of the demographic year book 50 000 people moved from Hungary during the examined period, 21 000 of them had a legal reason and 29 000 left illegally the socialist Hungary.
If we compare the immigrants and the migrants we can draw the conclusion that among the immigrants there were more young less skilled people, than among the ones who left the country. This fact broadened the differences further deriving from the difference in the number of immigrants and migrants.
Source:
L. Rédei Mária: Az 1956-1992 közötti nemzetközi népességmozgások jellemzői Magyarországon In.: Földrajzi Értesítő XLIII. évf 1994.1-2.füzet, pp. 57-74.
