Perceived Inequalities in Access to Healthcare in Hungary: A Population-Based Analysis by Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors

This study examined perceived inequalities in access to healthcare in Hungary using data from the 2021 International Social Survey Programme Health and Health Care II module (ISSP; N = 1008). The aim was to identify sociodemographic, behavioral, health-related, and attitudinal factors associated with perceived healthcare-access disparities and expectations of receiving the best available treatment if seriously ill. Cross-sectional analyses were performed using chi-squared tests, Fisher’s exact tests, multivariable ordinal logistic regression, and binary logistic regression. In adjusted ordinal models, urban residence was associated with the rich–poor healthcare-access comparison (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.04–2.83, p = 0.033), while daily fruit and vegetable consumption showed an inverse association in the same model (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.22–0.75, p = 0.004). Neutral trust in doctors was associated with the citizens–non-citizens access comparison (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.26–2.77, p = 0.002). Expectation of receiving This study examined perceived inequalities in access to healthcare in Hungary using data from the 2021 International Social Survey Programme Health and Health Care II module (ISSP; N = 1008). The aim was to identify sociodemographic, behavioral, health-related, and attitudinal factors associated with perceived healthcare-access disparities and expectations of receiving the best available treatment if seriously ill. Cross-sectional analyses were performed using chi-squared tests, Fisher’s exact tests, multivariable ordinal logistic regression, and binary logistic regression. In adjusted ordinal models, urban residence was associated with the rich–poor healthcare-access comparison (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.04–2.83, p = 0.033), while daily fruit and vegetable consumption showed an inverse association in the same model (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.22–0.75, p = 0.004). Neutral trust in doctors was associated with the citizens–non-citizens access comparison (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.26–2.77, p = 0.002). Expectation of receiving the best available treatment was positively associated with secondary education compared with primary education (OR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.44–4.24, p = 0.001) and daily fruit and vegetable consumption (OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.10–4.31, p = 0.025), and negatively associated with low confidence in the healthcare system (OR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.04–0.27, p < 0.001) and disagreement that doctors can be trusted (OR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.04–0.66, p = 0.010). These findings suggest that perceived healthcare-access inequalities in Hungary are shaped not only by structural socioeconomic position but also by institutional trust and health-related behaviors.