The Troubling Housing Situation in Iran; Housing Statistics Have Become Security-Sensitive

With the ongoing chaotic economic situation and the thirteenth government's decision for 'statistical imprisonment' instead of solving problems, media outlets report ambiguity regarding government claims about improvements in the housing sector. The website Didban Iran wrote that the Minister of Roads and Urban Development, relying on statistics from the Central Bank Governor, announced that housing prices have decreased, but economic experts do not believe this claim is accurate. This media outlet quoted Mansour Ghaibi, a housing market economic expert, stating: 'The decrease in housing prices is questionable, and it seems the minister knows the accurate statistics but prefers not to disclose them, opting instead to use softened statistics to reduce the psychological burden on the housing economy.' Didban Iran pointed out that the lack of official housing statistics published in the past eight months is detrimental to the government itself. Furthermore, the Governor of the Central Bank implicitly confirmed the existence of a security perspective in the publication of statistics and the interference of security institutions in this matter, stating that some economic statistics are not necessary to be publicly released due to security restrictions and considerations. Donyaye Eghtesad also reported on July 19 that the last comprehensive report published by the Statistical Center of Iran on housing price and rent changes in the country was from a year and a season ago, specifically winter 1400, and the Central Bank has not published monthly reports regarding housing prices in Tehran for the past six months. An analysis of a new report by the Statistical Center by 'Voice of America' shows that in July, the monthly housing inflation was 2.4%, point-to-point inflation was 38%, and annual inflation was 36%. In the same month, the inflation rate for housing-related services also saw significant inflation, with monthly inflation for maintenance and repair services at 4.6%, point-to-point inflation at 46.4%, and annual inflation in this sector at 50.3%. Ghaibi, an economic journalist, stated that the younger generation has almost no chance of buying housing in Tehran. Criticism of the Raisi government is increasing; media outlets report: 'A regression to the past' accompanied by a sharp decline in public services. The outcome of Raisi's economic promises is approaching the third year of his government; failure to achieve goals. Farzin: Inflation will reach thirty percent; Raghfar: Iran's economy is collapsing. Reactions to Ibrahim Raisi's 'insomnia'; sleep peacefully, as the Stability Front is awake. Statistics speak; nearly 60% of the Iranian population lives under the shadow of poverty. Tenants in Tehran are seeking containers; a government official stated: 'A 25-square-meter house is sufficient for living.' The Governor of the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic: The non-publication of certain statistics has security considerations.