Szükségleti

Szükségleti is a small village located in the northern part of Hungary, within Nógrád County. The settlement lies approximately 12 kilometres southeast of the county seat, Salgótarján, and is part of the administrative district of Erdőspatak. The first documentary mention dates back to the early 14th century when it appeared in land registers as a modest agrarian community belonging to the aristocratic family of Rásonys. Over the centuries, the village developed primarily through agriculture and forestry, benefiting from the fertile soils of the Great Hungarian Plain and the surrounding lowland forests.

The current population of Szükségleti is roughly 600 inhabitants, with a demographic profile typical of rural Hungarian settlements: a mix of traditional families, a small proportion of retirees, and a growing number of young professionals who commute to nearby towns for employment. The local economy remains predominantly agricultural, focusing on maize, wheat, and livestock breeding, supplemented by small-scale timber processing. In recent years, the municipality has promoted eco-tourism and cultural heritage projects, such as the renovation of the 19th‑century village church and the annual “Szükségleti Harvest Festival,” which attracts visitors from surrounding regions.

Infrastructure in the village includes a primary school, a volunteer fire department, and a community centre that hosts local events. Public transport connections are limited; residents primarily rely on regional bus services to reach larger towns. Despite its modest size, Szükségleti continues to preserve a strong sense of local identity, reflected in community initiatives that support agricultural sustainability and the conservation of regional traditions.