Protests erupted across Syria last month as citizens burned tires and blocked roads in anger over a renewed increase in fuel prices. This marked the largest display of public discontent since President Ahmed al-Sharaa assumed power two years ago, following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad and the end of five decades of his family's rule. While many Syrians initially hoped for rapid improvements after celebrating their new freedoms, the economic reality has instead deteriorated for a significant portion of the population.
The government's decision to slash long-held subsidies as part of an austerity drive has triggered a sharp rise in the cost of essential goods. The price of bread, a staple food, has increased tenfold, while electricity costs have surged by several hundred percent for some households. Fuel prices have been aligned with international averages, placing additional pressure on farmers and transportation sectors. Although authorities adjusted public sector wages and pensions to counter these hikes, the effect has been negated by continuing inflation.
Personal accounts from Damascus suburbs illustrate the severity of the situation. Fatima Saleh Eid, a 50-year-old cleaner, reported that her family can no longer afford meat or chicken, relying instead on expensive vegetables. Her husband recently secured employment at a ceramic factory after a year of unemployment, a rarity in an environment where many men gather daily hoping for day labor. Marwan Bashour, a 68-year-old pensioner earning the public sector minimum wage of approximately $90 monthly, stated that his income is insufficient. He has been forced to sell household items and furniture to make ends meet, noting that aid from international agencies has also dried up due to funding cuts.
The economic strain is compounded by external factors, including the impact of the US-Iran war on energy markets, which the government cited as a partial reason for the fuel price increase. Nabil al-Remhein, a 63-year-old pensioner whose four adult children are unemployed, described his family's situation as tragic, surviving on one meal a day. To avoid high electricity bills, his household turns off lights and refrigerators for hours daily, yet their latest bill still consumed a third of their income.
Experts warn that the crisis poses a significant danger to the new government. Dr. Haid Haid of Chatham House noted that while the legacy of the former regime and lack of resources are factors, current policies moving Syria toward a free-market economy have failed to account for their impact on citizens. Samir Aita, an economist with the Circle of Arab Economists, described the situation as unsustainable, fearing chaos if policies do not change. Despite these challenges, President Sharaa has achieved some diplomatic victories, including the lifting of international sanctions and Syria's removal from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. However, real economic recovery remains elusive in a country where reconstruction costs are estimated at $216 billion by the World Bank, leaving many families living in partially destroyed buildings.
Sources: BBC News World.