The Gap Between Food and Housing Needs; Quality of Life in Decline

Reports published by media in Iran indicate that the share of food in people's livelihood basket is decreasing, and the quality of available items is declining daily. This issue, alongside the forced migration of tenants to lower areas and the reduction in housing size, has led to a significant decline in the quality of life for a considerable portion of the population. A newspaper reported that the series of sharp increases in rent has created significant and negative changes in the 'lifestyle' and 'living conditions' of tenants. Fardin Yazdani, a senior housing expert, stated that the crisis of 'affordable rental housing' has led to the phenomenon of 'class separation in cities.' The newspaper 'Donya-e-Eqtesad' noted that this phenomenon means that low-income tenants have turned to weaker areas, or so-called lower city, while middle and upper city areas have emptied of this social class. Another change in people's lifestyle is the replacement of low-value and worthless foods with quality foods, which is primarily due to the need to cover housing costs. The writer of 'Donya-e-Eqtesad' believes that tenants are buying less, cheaper, and lower-quality food items. Another report has been published indicating the depth of the disaster in providing the minimum food needs of people. News sources reported that the average price of tomatoes in Tehran is 50,000 tomans per kilogram, but in the northern regions of the capital, this price can reach 80,000 tomans. The report states that considering the price of 5,000 tomans for each egg and the current price of tomatoes, a family of four would need to spend 90,000 tomans to prepare a simple 'omelet,' excluding the costs of bread, oil, and energy. Previously, 'omelet' was recognized as one of the popular foods among workers and students, and thus this cheap food has also become inaccessible to this segment of society. Continuous inflation and rising prices in Iran have left the situation of the weaker classes in a haze of uncertainty. According to government statistics, the weaker segments of society are experiencing the bitter taste of inflation more than the affluent deciles. In this context, an analysis of monthly inflation statistics by expenditure deciles shows that the first decile experienced the highest price increase, while the tenth decile experienced the lowest price growth in November. A report from the Statistical Center of Iran shows that the annual inflation rate for the tenth expenditure decile reached 46.3% in November, while the inflation rate for the first decile, or the affluent groups of society, reached 43%. The reason for this gap relates to people's lifestyles, as affluent deciles allocate a larger share of their expenses to services, while lower-income deciles have no room for service use due to the need to secure food and housing. Experts believe that with inflation stabilizing above 40% and the government's determination to set salaries for government employees and workers at around 20%, alongside next year's tax pressures, the quality of life for people will further decline. A union official stated that meat prices have risen due to insufficient livestock. Protests by telecommunications retirees in several cities in Iran have been reported, stating that they have only heard promises and seen no justice. Reduced supply and rising prices of livestock inputs have increased meat prices; a sheep carcass has reached half a million tomans. The secretary of the Iran Dairy Products Industry Association stated that people can no longer afford subsidized dairy products. They want to survive; 70% of workers have a second job. Media have reported on 'absolute misery'; eggs have become the only food for workers. A government-affiliated news agency acknowledged that workers' wages only cover 40% of living expenses.