Visegrád Group facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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 The group's logo, representing the relative positions of the four member states' capitals
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Visegrád Group members Other member states of the European Union
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| Membership | |
| Leaders | |
| Czech Republic | |
| Establishment | 15 February 1991 |
| Area | |
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• Total
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533,615 km2 (206,030 sq mi) |
| Population | |
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• 2019 estimate
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 63,845,789 |
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• Density
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120.0/km2 (310.8/sq mi) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2022 estimate |
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• Total
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€1.213 trillion |
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• Per capita
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€19,000 |
The Visegrád Group (also called the Visegrád Four or V4) is a special team-up of four countries in Central Europe. These countries are the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia.
They work together on many things like military, money, culture, and energy. Their main goal is to help each other and become more connected with the European Union (EU). All four countries are also members of the EU, NATO (a military alliance), and the Bucharest Nine (B9).
The group started with meetings of leaders from Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Poland. These meetings happened in the Hungarian castle town of Visegrád on February 15, 1991. They picked Visegrád on purpose. It was a nod to an old meeting there in 1335. That meeting was between the kings of Bohemia, Hungary, and Poland.
After Czechoslovakia split into two countries in 1993, the Czech Republic and Slovakia both joined the group. This made the group grow from three members to four. All four V4 countries joined the European Union on May 1, 2004.
Contents
History of the Visegrád Group
How the Visegrád Group Started (1335-1989)
The Visegrád Group is named after the town of Visegrád in Hungary. This is where the first important meeting happened in 1335. The rulers of Bohemia (Czechs), Poland, and Hungary met there.
They agreed to create new trade routes to avoid the city of Vienna. Vienna was a "staple port," meaning goods had to be sold there first. The kings wanted easier ways to trade with other European markets. They also confirmed that the Czechs had control over the Duchy of Silesia.
Another meeting in Visegrád in 1339 decided that if the Polish king died without a son, the Hungarian king's son would become the King of Poland. This actually happened in 1370.
For a long time, from the 1500s until World War I, parts of these countries were ruled by or influenced by the Habsburg family in Vienna. After World War II in 1945, these countries became "satellite states" of the Soviet Union. This meant they were controlled by the Soviet Union.
But in 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, and communism ended in Central and Eastern Europe. This allowed Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia to become capitalist and democratic. In December 1991, the Soviet Union also broke apart. This helped the three countries look more towards Western Europe.
Forming the Group in the 1990s
The Visegrád Group officially started on February 15, 1991. The leaders of Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Hungary met in Visegrád, Hungary.
The group was created to help these countries move away from communism. They wanted to make changes needed to join important European groups like NATO and the European Union.
After Czechoslovakia split in 1993, the Czech Republic and Slovakia became separate members. This made the group have four members. All four countries joined the European Union on May 1, 2004.
The Visegrád Group Today (2004-Present)
Once all four countries joined the EU in 2004, their main goal was achieved. Since then, the Visegrád Group has focused on cultural projects through the Visegrad Fund. They also work together on things like building roads and bridges.
The group became very active during the European Migration Crisis in 2015. The Visegrád countries strongly disagreed with the EU's plan to share Syrian refugees across Europe. As fewer migrants arrived in later years, the group's unity became less strong.
The war in Ukraine in 2022 caused some disagreements within the group. Hungary and Slovakia did not want to support Ukraine as much. They even shared some ideas from Russia about the war.
However, the Czech Republic and Poland strongly support Ukraine. Some news groups have even called the group "Visegrád Two Plus Two." This shows the differences in their views. A meeting in Prague in 2024 showed these differences clearly. Poland's Foreign Minister later said that Poland, being the largest country, should focus more on working with Germany and France (the Weimar Triangle) and the US, rather than just the Visegrád Four.
Economies of the Visegrád Countries
All four Visegrád countries are considered "high-income countries." This means their people generally earn a good living. They also have a very high Human Development Index, which measures things like health, education, and living standards.
These countries have had steady economic growth for over 100 years. In 2009, Slovakia started using the Euro currency. It is the only V4 country to do so. All four countries are expected to adopt the Euro in the future once they meet certain economic rules.
If you put all four Visegrád countries together, their total economic output (called GDP) would be the 4th largest in the EU. It would be the 5th largest in Europe and the 15th largest in the world. In terms of international trade, the V4 is also very important. It ranks 4th in the EU, 5th in Europe, and 8th in the world.
In 2020, the Czech Republic had the highest GDP per person, followed by Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland. The V4 countries also support nuclear power. They want to build more nuclear power plants or expand existing ones. They believe nuclear power will help their countries.
Czech Republic's Economy
The Czech Republic has the second largest economy in the Visegrád Group. It has the highest Human Development Index, which means people there generally have a very good quality of life. It also has the highest GDP per person in the group.
Hungary's Economy
Hungary has the third largest economy in the group. It was one of the more developed countries in Eastern Europe after the fall of communism. Many foreign companies have invested money in Hungary.
Hungary is an industrial and agricultural country. Its main industries include making machines (like cars and buses), chemicals, electronics, textiles, and food. The services sector, like tourism and banking, is also growing.
Tourism is very important to Hungary. Lake Balaton, the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe, is a popular spot. The capital city, Budapest, also attracts millions of visitors each year.
Poland's Economy
Poland has the largest economy in the Visegrád Group. It is a high-income country with a good quality of life. Poland's economy is the fifth largest in the EU and one of the fastest growing in Europe.
Poland was the only EU country to avoid an economic decline during the late 2000s recession. Its economy has grown steadily since 1991. The largest part of its economy is the service sector, followed by industry and agriculture. Poland's roads and other infrastructure have improved quickly with private money and EU help.
Poland's main industries are mining, machinery (cars, buses, ships), metals, chemicals, electronics, textiles, and food processing. High-tech and IT companies are also growing in Poland.
Slovakia's Economy
Slovakia has the smallest, but still strong, economy in the Visegrád Group.
People and Capitals
The Visegrád Group has a total population of over 64 million people. If it were one country, it would be the 22nd largest in the world. Poland is the most populated country in the group, with about 38 million people. The Czech Republic has about 11 million, Hungary about 10 million, and Slovakia about 5.5 million.
V4 Capitals
- Warsaw (Poland) – The largest city, with over 1.7 million people.
- Budapest (Hungary) – Has about 1.7 million people.
- Prague (Czech Republic) – Has over 1.3 million people.
- Bratislava (Slovakia) – The smallest capital, with over 430,000 people.
Current Leaders
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Czech Republic
Petr Fiala
Prime Minister -
Hungary
Viktor Orbán
Prime Minister -
Poland
Donald Tusk
Prime Minister -
Slovakia
Robert Fico
Prime Minister
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What the Visegrád Group Does
International Visegrád Fund
The International Visegrád Fund (IVF) is the only official organization of the Visegrád Group. Its main goal is to bring people and groups in Central and Eastern Europe closer together. It does this by supporting projects from non-government organizations.
Working Together on Defence
Visegrád Battlegroup
In 2011, the defence ministers of the V4 countries decided to create a new EU Battlegroup. This is a military unit ready for quick action. Poland led this group, which became ready in 2016. The ministers also agreed that V4 armies should practice together regularly. This battlegroup has included members from the V4 and Ukraine.
Another V4 EU Battlegroup was formed in 2019 (with Croatia joining). Another one will be ready in 2023.
Other Defence Plans
In 2014, after Russia's military actions in Ukraine, the V4 countries signed a plan for more joint military work. This plan includes:
- Planning defence together.
- Doing joint training and military exercises.
- Buying military equipment together.
- Sharing military education.
- Protecting airspace together.
- Working together on their positions in international talks.
- Having a shared communication plan.
A special headquarters for joint logistics (V4 JLSG HQ) was set up in 2020. It will be fully ready by early 2023.
Visegrád Patent Institute
This institute was created in 2015. It helps with patents, which are legal rights that protect new inventions. It acts as an international office for searching and examining patent applications.
Relations with Neighbors
European Union Countries
All V4 members joined the European Union in 2004. They have also been part of the Schengen Area since 2007. The Schengen Area means people can travel between these countries without passport checks.
Austria
Austria is to the southwest of the Visegrád Group. The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria started their own group called the Slavkov format in 2015. This group is not meant to compete with the V4, but to add to it.
Germany
Germany, to the west of the Visegrád Group, is a very important trading partner. Germany trades and invests more with the V4 countries than with China.
Romania
In 2015, Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia formed the Craiova Group. This idea came from Romania's Prime Minister, who was inspired by the Visegrád Group. Greece joined this group in 2017.
Romania has been invited to join the Visegrád Group before. However, some past events made this difficult.
Non-EU Countries
Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia share a border with Ukraine to their east. Poland also borders Belarus and Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast to the northeast. The Czech Republic is surrounded by other EU countries. Hungary borders Serbia, which is hoping to join the EU.
Ukraine
Ukraine is an eastern neighbor of the V4 and is not in the EU. It gets a lot of help from the International Visegrád Fund. The Visegrád Group also helps Ukraine with its goal to join European groups. Ukraine joined a special trade agreement with the EU and the V4 in 2016.
The war in Ukraine has caused some disagreements within the Visegrád Group. Hungary has been against strong actions against Russia. But the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland strongly support Ukraine. In 2022, the Czech Prime Minister said that Hungary's different views were making things difficult for the Visegrád Group.
Comparing the Countries
| Name | Czech Republic (Česká republika) |
Hungary (Magyarország) | Poland | Slovakia |
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| Official name | Republic of Poland (Rzeczpospolita Polska) | Slovak Republic (Slovenská republika) | ||
| Coat of arms |  |
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| Flag |  |
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| Population | 10,649,800 (2019) |
 9,772,756 (2019) |
37,972,812 (2019) |
5,450,421 (2019) |
| Area | 78,866 km2 (30,450 sq mi) | 93,028 km2 (35,919 sq mi) | 312,696 km2 (120,733 sq mi) | 49,035 km2 (18,933 sq mi) |
| Population Density | 134/km2 (347.1/sq mi) | 105.9/km2 (274.3/sq mi) | 123/km2 (318.6/sq mi) | 111/km2 (287.5/sq mi) |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic | Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic | Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic | Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic |
| Capital |  Prague – 1,318,688 (2,647,308 Metro) |
 Budapest – 1,779,361 (3,303,786 Metro) |
 Warsaw – 1,783,321 (3,100,844 Metro) |
 Bratislava – 429,564 (659,578 Metro) |
| Largest City | ||||
| Official language | Czech | Hungarian | Polish | Slovak |
| First Leader | Bořivoj I, Duke of Bohemia (first Duke, 867–889) | Grand Prince Árpád (first leader, 895–907) King St. Stephen (first Christian King, 997–1038) |
Duke Mieszko I (first leader, 960–992) | Pribina (ancestor, ?–861) |
| Current Head of Government | Prime Minister Petr Fiala (since 2021) | Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (1998–2002, since 2010) | Prime Minister Donald Tusk (2007-2014, since 2023) | Prime Minister Robert Fico (2006–2010, 2012–2018, since 2023) |
| Current Head of State | President Petr Pavel (since 2023) | President Tamás Sulyok (since 2024) | President Andrzej Duda (since 2015) | President Zuzana Čaputová (since 2019) |
| Main religions | 44.7% undeclared, 34.5% no religion, 10.5% Roman Catholic | 38.9% Catholicism, 13.8% Protestantism | 87.58% Roman Catholic | 62% Roman Catholic |
| Ethnic groups | 64.3% Czechs, 25.3% unspecified, 5% Moravians | 83.7% Hungarian, 3.1% Roma | 98% Poles | 80.7% Slovaks, 8.5% Hungarians |
| GDP (nominal) |
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| External debt (nominal) | $77.786 billion (2019 Q2) – 31.6 % of GDP | $112.407 billion (2019 Q2) – 66.6 % of GDP | $281.812 billion (2019 Q2) – 47.5 % of GDP | $51.524 billion (2019 Q2) – 46.9 % of GDP |
| GDP (PPP) |
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| Currency | Czech koruna (Kč) – CZK | Hungarian forint (Ft) – HUF | Polish złoty (zł) – PLN | Euro (€) – EUR |
| Human Development Index |
0.891 very high 26th
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0.845 very high 43rd
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0.872 very high 32nd
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0.857 very high 36th
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See also
In Spanish: Grupo de Visegrado para niños
Other groups in Central Europe
- AHICE (Art Historian Information from Central Europe)
- Bucharest Nine
- Central European Defence Cooperation
- Central European Initiative
- Salzburg Forum
- Three Seas Initiative
Similar groups
- Association Trio
- Commonwealth of Independent States
- Craiova Group
- EU Med Group
- Lublin Triangle
- Nordic Defence Cooperation
- Nordic-Baltic Eight
- Weimar Triangle
- Open Balkan
Other
- Central Europe
- Comecon
- Eastern Bloc
- International Visegrád Day
- Pact of Free Cities
- British–Polish–Ukrainian trilateral pact
- Soviet Union
- Warsaw Pact
- Intermarium (region)
