The study examined pre-career, seventh-grade primary school children's interest in further education and career choices. The results are based on the results of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) national career guidance study.

Two major groups stood out among seventh grade students: white-collar and blue-collar. The former are more independent, more diligent in learning, and more skilled at intellectual tasks and solving puzzles, but are less talented of practical tasks.This group tends to strive for attainment of higher education, even to obtain a degree and a white-collar profession. Children from the other group are interested in home improvement, repair, and the world of machines, and are less receptive to learning, are more inclined to solve school tasks in groups, and are regarded as less independent. The latter group of young people takes on vocational careers.

The HCCI Institute for Economic and Enterprise Research (IEER) business climate survey in July 2014 shows that the level of business confidence in Hungary continued to improve compared to that seen in the previous quarter, and that for three consecutive quarters a rising business confidence was detected. The IEER Quarterly Business Climate Index rose from the April level of 10 points to 18 points. The current 18 points is the highest level recorded since the beginning of the research (2005) and the last time a similar level was reached was at the beginning of 2011 (in January 2011 it reached 16 points). The Uncertainty Index level of 35 points is one point lower than the value in April; this indicates stagnation in uncertainty following a sharp rise at the beginning of the year. The current level is below the values recorded one or two years before (in July 2013 it was 37 points; in July 2012 it was 42 points). In addition, the value of the Uncertainty Index indicates that the current trend is not uniform within the private sector, and that the recovery will continue to be confined to one part of the economy and will not be felt by all companies.

Between 2006 and 2013 the number of Hungarian high school graduates applying to British universities increased significantly, by nearly 2.7-fold, while other Visegrad countries were characterized by much lower growth rates. Besides, the research of IEER examining the prospects for further studies also reveals that regional disparities in further education are discernible within Hungary. Children from the underdeveloped Northern and Great Plains regions usually don't apply for universities in Budapest or abroad, whereas in the region of Central Hungary students most often choose the most prestigious universities of Budapest. The study was conducted on graduating students at thirty Hungarian state high schools; the results are based on 704 responses.

The business expectations and investment activity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has picked up slightly in the last quarter. Based on the results of the IEER SME survey in April the business climate index increased slightly compared to the previous three months. Compared to January 2014, data from the Uncertainty Index was also higher, that is, the current and expected business situation with regards to the diversity of opinions slightly increased among SMEs. But this figure is still relatively low compared to the results of the previous survey. In view of the results and expected staff changes, there is an overall positive change in employment growth; at the same time, investment activity is decreasing.

The results of the latest SME Outlook survey reveal more favourable expectations compared to the previous quarter: the SME Outlook Business Climate Index increased from 2 points to 9 points, surpassing the level of January 2013 (7 points). The value of the SME Outlook Uncertainty Index compared to the previous quarter is similar, it increased from 31 to 33 points. These values are notably lower than we found earlier in the course of the SME Outlook Business Climate Survey. This result implies that there is a decrease in the diversity of opinions on views toward the current and expected business situation of enterprises, however the perceptions of the trends are still not clear or uniform within the SMEs.

In the third quarter of 2013 the small and medium enterprises show a positive image about their current business situation. All of the indicators referring to the current situation showed an increase compared to the previous period. In contrast, the expectations for the future indicate a negative outlook, as all of the forecasting indicators fell. These opposing effects resulted a decrease of the SME Business Climate Index. The Uncertainty Index also decreased comparing to the previous period, what means that the diversity of opinions among SMEs has reduced the on the previous quarter.

On the following link an English summary of the paper can be downloaded.

Within the framework of the SME Outlook research, since January 2005 the HCCI Institute for Economic and Enterprise Research (IEER) conducts a quarterly analysis of the situation of small and medium sized enterprises, their short-term prospects, as well as the economic and institutional factors affecting this business group. For this project a total of 300 companies operating within the fields of manufacturing, construction and services is surveyed and the data is analyzed in every quarter. The structure of the sample remains the same from quarter to quarter, with the companies surveyed representing the economic performance and sector distribution of small and medium sized enterprises in Hungary.

Indicators pertaining to the current situation of small and medium sized enterprises were mixed and somewhat negative for the second quarter of 2013. Compared to the previous quarter, only the business situation indicator increased for all current situation indicators. By contrast, future expectations indicate optimism, because apart from stagnation in employment numbers, all other forward-looking indicators increased; this was particularly evident in the sharp increase in anticipated investment activity.

On the following link an English summary of the paper can be downloaded.

According to preliminary statistics data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO, or KSH in Hungarian), seasonally and calendar-adjusted gross domestic product fell by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period last year, but compared to the previous quarter a 0.7% increase was observed.

Indicators pertaining to the current situation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) showed a consistent picture for the first quarter of 2013. Compared to the previous quarter, current situation indicators had all increased slightly. Expectations for the next year don't reflect this optimism, however; particularly evident is the sharp decline in expected investment activity.

The overall effect of these contradictory results has led the SME Business Climate Index to idle after experiencing a strong rise during the previous survey; although the value is still rising, it's at a much slower rate than in the previous quarter. The Uncertainty Index declined somewhat; in other words, a decline can be seen in the diversity of opinions of SME assessments toward their current and expected business situations.

The share of small and medium-sized enterprises with bank loans has been steadily declining since October 2011; its current value is at 62%. In terms of loan type, it can be stated that firms are still mostly indebted in HUF. The proportion of business loans in Euros and Swiss francs has declined significantly since April 2012, and currently represents 25% and 1.1% respectively of all SME loans.

During the past half year 17% of the businesses surveyed inquired at a bank about the possibility of borrowing money, which is a rate two percentage points lower than in April 2012.

On the following link an English summary of the paper can be downloaded.

April 2013 was the thirty-first occasion of the HCCI Institute for Economic and Enterprise Research (IEER) business climate survey which is based on the cumulative response of more than 14,000 companies and conducted in April and October of each year, with the participation of regional chambers. It is the largest and most extensive business climate survey of its kind in Hungary. The research is part of the 14 million enterprise-wide Eurochambres survey of the European economy. In April this year 3,500 firms filled out our questionnaire -- our study is based on these responses.

The IEER business climate index rose 2.3 points from the October level of 1.9 points, and now stands at 4.2 points. This is still characterized as a weak positive result, which is underscored when the data is compared to the level in April of each year: this is the second lowest level since the start of the study (1998). The value of the uncertainty index is at the 43.6-point level. This suggests that within the business community there is still no clear or unanimous opinion of current trends. In addition, together with data available on the current performance of the Hungarian economy and the IEER business climate data, our attention is drawn to the slight decrease in uncertainty surrounding the current year

On the following link an English summary of the paper can be downloaded.

The results of the January 2013 IEER SME Outlook business climate survey reveal more favourable economic conditions compared to the previous quarter. The SME Outlook Business Climate Index (BCI) increased from -6.6 to 5.4 percentage points, which is the highest value since July 2011. Regarding the Uncertainty Index stagnation can be observed, which means that there is no change in the perception of the SMEs about their current and expected business situation. The Uncertainty Index is at a current level of 41 percentage points, which is almost the same as the value measured in the preceding quarter (it was 42 percentage points in October 2013).