The “Migration-Development Nexus” in Theory and in Hungarian Policy Practice

The paper analyses Hungary’s international development policy from the perspective of the notion of the ‘migration-development nexus’. Notorious for its anti-refugee policies between 2015 and 2026, Hungary significantly enhanced its international development aid activities with the discursive aim of tackling root causes of migration. Is therefore Hungary a rapidly emerging aid donor not because of its willingness to embrace ‘Western’ ideas of international development responsibility, but because of its anti-migration policy, hoping that international aid can reduce push factors of migration? Based on a review of theoretical literature, content analysis of relevant pieces of legislation, the review of official data, and on semi-structured stakeholder interviews with NGO representatives, the paper argues that while the references to migration deterrence can be observed on a discursive level, other drivers are equally, if not more important factors of the increase of Hungarian ODA.