Livelihood pressures are mounting in Iran, exacerbated by the onset of Ramadan, which has laid bare the depth of the crisis. Iranian media highlights the stark reality: a daily minimum wage of 250,000 tomans against the staggering family expenses of 650,000 tomans for both (Sahari) breakfast and Iftar.
A report by the Rouydad 24 website sheds light on this issue, indicating that the cost of iftar or Sahari (breakfast) for a family of five during Ramadan amounts to 400,000 tomans. Consequently, the minimum estimated cost for an Iftar is 200,000 to 250,000 tomans.
According to the report, this contrasts sharply with the average daily income of a typical worker, which stands at approximately 250,000 tomans. Comparing figures from Rouydad 24, last year’s expenditure for a full iftar meal for a family of five surpassed 250,000 tomans.
Furthermore, in 2022, the bare minimum cost of preparing an iftar table was around 150,000 tomans. The website attributes the prevailing economic trends and household conditions to the policies of the Raisi government, stating, “It now appears as though an era has passed since then, with the outcome of Raisi’s economic measures resembling nothing short of economic paralysis.”
Emphasizing the widening gap between wages and costs over the years, the report underscores the drastic reduction in Iranian households’ food provisions.
Data from the Iranian Statistics Center reveal alarming inflation rates. In February 2024, annual inflation in the ‘red meat and poultry’ sector reached 93.3%, while in the red and white meat and related products sector, it was 90.7%. This translates to Iranians spending at least 90% more on meat in January 2024 compared to the previous year.
Moreover, in January 2024, public transportation costs surged by 57.4% compared to the same period in the previous year, while expenses for hotels and restaurants soared by 62.5%.
These statistics underscore rampant inflation as one of Iran’s foremost economic challenges, significantly impacting daily life and diminishing household food supplies.
