Hungarian Economic Association

The Hungarian Economic Association (Hungarian: Magyar Közgazdasági Társaság, MKT) is the oldest and one of the most significant professional organizations of Hungarian economists. Founded on 27 May 1894, it is among the earliest scientific-professional associations of its kind in Europe. It was established by professors, academicians, ministers, bankers, merchants, members of parliament, farmers, officials, large landowners and aristocrats with the aim of jointly exploring the paths to the nation's economic advancement. Today it operates as a public-benefit association (közhasznú egyesület) whose mission is to disseminate economic knowledge, develop professional public life, and represent the general interests of economists. The association fulfils its mission through a wide range of forums: lectures, courses, professional debates, meetings and itinerant congresses. It is a professional community of nearly 3,500 members, organizes 80–100 conferences a year, and maintains 29 specialized sections and 16 county organizations. Its members are mostly economists with university or college degrees, as well as university students; the largest group of members is in their late thirties and early forties. The MKT is an independent public-benefit association that aims to give space to all economic currents and schools of thought in its forums, while considering the promotion of free professional expression an important task. Its goal is to support the development and practical application of economics, maintain contact with representatives of related disciplines, strengthen economic thinking, contribute to the nation's prosperity, and represent and protect the professional interests of its members and economists in general. The association's most important event is the Economists' Itinerant Congress (Közgazdász-vándorgyűlés), held each year in a different city with the support of the local county organization; the 64th congress is scheduled for September 2026 in Eger. Another highlight is the National Meeting of Young Economists, organized by the MKT Youth Committee every spring. The MKT also runs the MKT Card (MKT-KÁRTYA), a membership card offering average discounts of 5–15 percent at roughly 1,100 shops and service providers across the country. Since March 2020, due to the pandemic, the association has organized its events mainly online, and its conferences, lectures and roundtable discussions can be freely viewed on its YouTube channel or listened to in its podcast. The MKT's current president is Éva Hegedüs, chairman-CEO of Gránit Bank Nyrt. The secretary-general is Gábor Miklós Nagy, an economist and communications specialist. Vice-presidents include László Andor, former EU commissioner and secretary-general of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies; Professor Emeritus Péter Ákos Bod (Corvinus University of Budapest); Éva Palócz, CEO of Kopint-Tárki Zrt.; Dániel Palotai, deputy governor of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank; Mihály Patai, board member of the Bank of China; and László Wolf, deputy CEO of OTP Bank Nyrt. The association's permanent honorary presidents are Árpád Kovács, president of the Fiscal Council; Béla Kádár; and Gyula Pleschinger, former member of the MNB Monetary Council.

The Hungarian Economic Association (Magyar Közgazdasági Társaság, MKT) was founded on 27 May 1894, making it one of the earliest professional-scientific organizations of its kind in Europe. It was established by a broad coalition of professors, academicians, ministers, bankers, merchants, members of parliament, farmers, officials, large landowners and aristocrats, with the aim of jointly researching the paths and means of raising the national economy. Its first president was Lajos Láng, and its second president was Gyula Kautz. In 1908, Alajos Paikert Jr. became its secretary-general. In the 1950s, the association had to suspend its activities; at that time its leader was Farkas Heller. After a few years, in 1959, the organization was re-established. Since the years following the regime change, its role and membership have grown. During this period, Tamás Halm served as secretary-general of the MKT for many years, holding the position until 2014. He gave a lecture on the 125-year history of the Hungarian Economic Association at the MKT's celebratory delegate assembly in 2019. Due to the pandemic, from March 2020 the Hungarian Economic Association has organized its events mainly online. Its conferences, lectures and roundtable discussions can be freely viewed on the MKT YouTube channel or listened to in the MKT podcast. By 2025 the association operated 30 specialized sections and had local organizations in almost every county, regularly organizing lectures, debates and conferences. In 2026, in September, the association will hold its 64th itinerant congress in Eger. The MKT also runs the MKT Card (MKT-KÁRTYA), a membership card offering average discounts of 5–15 percent at about 1,100 shops and service providers across the country. The association's current president is Éva Hegedüs, chairman-CEO of Gránit Bank Nyrt., and its secretary-general is Gábor Miklós Nagy.

• 2026

  64th itinerant congress to be held in Eger in September.

• 2025

  Operates 30 specialized sections and local organizations in almost every county.

• 2020

  From March, events organized mainly online due to the pandemic.

• 2019

  Celebratory delegate assembly; lecture on the 125-year history of the MKT.

• 2014

  Tamás Halm ends his long tenure as secretary-general.

• 1959

  Organization re-established.

• 1950

  Activities suspended during the 1950s; Farkas Heller was the leader at that time.

• 1908

  Alajos Paikert Jr. becomes secretary-general.

• 1894

  Founded on 27 May in Budapest by professors, academicians, ministers, bankers, merchants, MPs, farmers, officials, landowners and aristocrats.

Hungary's oldest and most significant professional-scientific association of economists, operating as an independent public-benefit association that provides a forum for all economic schools of thought.

• Közgazdász-vándorgyűlés (Economists' Itinerant Congress)

  Annual conference held in a different city each year; the 64th is scheduled for September 2026 in Eger.

• Fiatal Közgazdászok Országos Találkozója (National Meeting of Young Economists)

  Organized by the MKT Youth Committee every spring.

• MKT-KÁRTYA (MKT Card)

  Membership card offering average 5–15% discounts at about 1,100 shops and service providers nationwide.

• MKT Youth Committee

  Integrates young economists and students into professional organization; has youth organizations at several Hungarian higher education institutions.

• YouTube channel and podcast

  Platforms where conferences, lectures and roundtable discussions are freely available.

• GazMag online magazine

  Online magazine associated with the MKT.

1. 1mkt.hu | Magyar Közgazdasági Társaságmkt.hu
2. 2Hungarian Economic Association - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Magyar Közgazdasági Társaság - Wikipediahu.wikipedia.org