World · 2026-10-30 · Morning briefing

Soaring living costs fuel widespread protests in Syria

Widespread protests broke out across Syria last month after the government announced another fuel price hike, a decision it later revoked. The move was part of an austerity drive by President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration, which came to power two years ago after ousting Bashar al-Assad, that has involved slashing long-held subsidies.

The economic situation has deteriorated sharply for many Syrians. The price of bread, a staple food, has increased tenfold. Last year, the UN Development Programme estimated that 90% of the population was living in poverty, with the public sector minimum wage standing at just $90 a month.

Syria is still grappling with the aftermath of a 13-year civil war that killed 500,000 people and displaced half its population. The World Bank puts reconstruction costs at $216bn, though some analysts attribute the current crisis to a combination of the new government's free-market policies and mismanaged public expectations.

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• Syrians struggle with soaring prices as crisis challenges post-Assad recovery
• Spiking fuel costs add to burden as Syrians try to rebuild, sparking protests
• How rising living costs, discontent with govts fuelling protests across Europe, Americas, Asia
• France Imposes Night Curfews After Violent Protests Over Rising Living Costs
• Diesel Prices Are Soaring — Inflation May Be Next

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