There really is no imperative to learn a foreign language when you live in a country where English is the native tongue. Perhaps there is a moral imperative, to humble oneself and realize that English isn't the end-of-the-line manner of expression. But, someone born in America or Canada or England or British Oceania really doesn't need to ever learn another language, because English is becoming increasingly universal.
I am told that English is somewhat easy for Hungarians to learn as our grammar structure is relatively simple and our daily vocabulary small. But who does?
1) People on the Main Drag
This shouldn't be very surprising. An employee who speaks English (or German, I suppose) would be more valued on a street where English-speakers stay. However, what is more surprising is the clear pathogen-like pattern it takes. On the Buda side of the city, everything to the north of the tourist area suddenly does not have the side-by-side Etlap/Menu outside. If you go above St. Istavan Körut between Belvaros and Lipotvaros, there is a similar dearth of translation.
2) Young People (sometimes)
Young people are fairly reliable in knowing some English, but then again, some of the most hostile people I've met are under the age of 25. I bought a book today, and the clerk said about three sentences worth of Hungarian. I apologized (in Hungarian, and said that I couldn't understand her). "English? Pshh." Was her only response (I wanted to cry out that I speak German too?)
3) Homeless People
They are persistant. At some points in Budapest, I would be stopped at least 4-5 times on the street. When I pretended that I didn't speak Hungarian or English, they then spouted off perfect German! I don't know about employment programs in Hungary, but there are some great potential UN translators out there.