The settlement network contains a series of smaller populations than the national average, with predominantly small villages in some areas. However, the second most populous provincial city, Miskolc, is located in this region. As a result, the settlement structure of the region is very heterogeneous in nature. This area is rich in natural resources and minerals, which have formed the basis for the traditional heavy industry based here. By now, however, most of these resources have depreciated in value.

The distribution of the region's population by age group signals a slightly higher proportion than the national average for the youngest and oldest age groups. This is also indicated by a high rate of dependants, combined with high unemployment. These two factors result in this region having one of the country's most unfavourable ratios between those in employment and dependants.

The region's counties have variable industrial structures, but all branches of manufacturing are located here. Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County has the chemical, electricity and food industries, as well as metallurgy, Heves County has the food and mechanical engineering industries, while metallurgy and metal processing are predominant in Nógrád County. The agricultural sector has its lowest share after the Central Hungary region and it is in gradual decline.

As a reflection of the former economic structure, the leading branches are chemical industry, electricity, food industry, engineering industry, metal processing and metallurgy, and in the case of export the share of the chemical industry, engineering industry, textile industry, leather and fur production was the highest. Mining in its own sector is really significant at national level (39%), but its importance within the region is continuously decreasing.

The extraction of non-metallic minerals is notable; the 1/5 of the national production originates from the region. The economy of Northern Hungary is characterised by the dominance of SMEs, concerning the number of enterprises as in any other regions of Hungary. The centres of higher education plays indicator role in the research and technological development of the region. Many innovation intensive small and medium size enterprises appeared during the least years connected to the universities. High- and medium-tech foreign companies and large local firms base their R&D onto the academic background of the Universities.

The OPRD budget derives from EU financial resources designated for regional development and made available to Hungary from 2004. However, it was necessary to draft the so-called Programming documents for calls on EU regional development assistance even prior to accession. This is when the OPRD Programming document was also drafted.