OBJECTIVES: The occupancy rate is a calculation to show the actual utilization of the inpatient health facility for a period. It is expressed as a percent. Our aim was to define occupancy rates between 2000 and 2008 in the Middle-European country, Hungary. Health care of its 10 million inhabitants was „secured” by 59.584 beds until 31st March 2007 and by 43.943 beds afterwards. METHODS: To calculate the average occupancy rate for a typical one-year reporting period, two data items are needed. The "Inpatient Days of Care” and the "Bed Days Available”. Data were got from the National Health Insurance Fund Administration. To calculate occupancy rate the (Inpatient Days of Care / Bed Days Available) x 100 formula was used. RESULTS: The highest occupancy rate between 2000-2008 in Hungary was 76.3% in 2001. From that time the occupancy rate continuously decreased independently of the decrease of beds available. The figure reached 66.9% in 2007. In 2008 a slight increase could be seen (70.7%), which seemed not to be significant, but in comparison to the decrease of beds (26%) at spring of 2007. Examining the gathered monthly data, it was realized that in February bed occupancy was the highest, 77.2%. Examining occupancy rate for calendar days, it got the highest figure on Thursday, 77%. In order to define how many beds are really needed, it has to be examined occupancy rate on every single calendar day. Evaluating the data it was observed that there were days when occupancy rate was higher than 91% but regularly reached 80%. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the above mentioned it can be proved that planning bed number, in addition to yearly average, the daily occupancy rate has to be considered, as stress on health care is highly fluctuating due to unplanned, sudden cases.