According to last year’s numbers, this is the first time in a long time that more people have returned to Hungary rather than left it, Portfolio reports.

(Edit: Not long after the data’s release, however, many began questioning its accuracy. You can read about it here.)

The Central Statistical Office’s (KSH) new publication reveals that 20,000 Hungarians returned to the country and only 18,150 people emigrated last year.

This means that the country’s net migration rate was positive. The favorable data is mainly due to fewer people choosing to leave the country last year.

On top of the 20,000 returning Hungarians, around 8,000 Hungarians born abroad also migrated to the country. As a result, 10,000 more people returned to the country than left it.

KSH’s statistical data highlights that last year’s international migration reduced the population decrease by 27,000 people. Also, in addition to the net migration of 10,000, another 17,000 foreign citizens came to the country, primarily from the Hungarian diaspora.

Featured photo via Pixabay.