Are Hungarians Genetically Closer to Mongols or Slovaks?

The genetic makeup of modern Hungarians is a fascinating subject, especially considering their historical connections. Are they more genetically similar to the Mongols, known for their invasions and expansions, or the Slovaks, their linguistic and cultural neighbors in Central Europe? A closer look at genetic studies provides insights into the genetic ties between Hungarians and other populations.

Genetic Connections with Central and Eastern Europeans

Genetically, Hungarians are generally considered to be closer to other Central and Eastern European populations, including the Slovaks, than to Mongols. This is evidenced by genetic studies that indicate a significant amount of shared ancestry with other Central European populations. While there are historical connections, such as interactions with Mongolic tribes like the Huns and later, the Mongol invasions, the primary genetic influence on modern Hungarians comes from their interactions with neighboring populations over the centuries. These interactions include Slavic, Germanic, and other European groups.

Diversity in Genetic Makeup

The Hungarian language, belonging to the Finno-Ugric group, is different from the Slavic languages spoken by the Slovaks. This linguistic distinction does not directly correspond to genetic differences. Genetic studies using tools like LivingDNA have shown that Hungarians primarily cluster with their Central European neighbors. The primary genetic region for Hungarians is Pannonia, which includes Hungary, Eastern Austria, Southeast Moravia, and Southern Slovakia. West Balkans and Northeast Europe also play significant roles in their genetic makeup.

Global Genetic Landscapes

Genetic studies have shown that Hungarians are similar to East Germans, Poles, Bohemians, people from Belarus, Rusyns, Ukrainians, Croats, Serbs, Bosnians, Romanians, Moldovans, Bulgarians, Macedonians, Latvians, Lithuanians, and West Russians. Some of them also cluster with people from the Northeast Caucasus region and Western Germany. As the LivingDNA results demonstrate, Hungarians do not cluster near people from Mongolia. A Magyar person with a test result from LivingDNA shows a high percentage of Pannonia, indicating a connection to neighboring genetic populations such as Slovaks, Moravians, and Austrians. East Germans, Poles, and Belarusians are also genetically close to Hungarians.

The Case of Non-Ashkenazi Hungarians

It is important to note that there are diverse genetic components within the Hungarian population. Non-Ashkenazi Hungarians primarily cluster in the northern half of Europe, closer to Scandinavians than Mongolians. Genetic diversity is high, as evidenced by a Magyar person who tested with LivingDNA scoring 100% Pannonia, indicating a strong connection to the central genetic pool. This diversity is further highlighted by the variety of genetic clusters shown in the LivingDNA maps.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there are historical ties to both Mongols and the Slavs, genetic studies clearly indicate that modern Hungarians are genetically closer to the Slovaks and other Central and Eastern European populations. The shared genetic heritage is a testament to the intricate historical and cultural exchanges that have shaped the identity of the Hungarian people over the centuries.