Syria Raises Wages by 50% in Light of Rising Inflation

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ordered an increase in the wages of civil servants, military personnel, and public sector retirees by 50%, amid economic crises and rampant inflation, nearly 13 years after the outbreak of war.

Last year, Assad announced a similar decision, doubling wages and pensions while lifting fuel subsidies.

The conflict in Syria has destroyed the country's economy and has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced millions since it broke out in 2011.

As a result of the conflict, more than 90% of Syrians have become “below the poverty line,” according to United Nations figures, with a sharp decline in the value of the Syrian pound.

Before the decision issued Monday, the value of the monthly wage for civil service employees ranged between $20-$40, depending on the market exchange rate.

A separate presidential decree issued by Assad on Monday raised the minimum wage in the private sector to 278,910 Syrian liras per month, or about $19 in the parallel market.

On Monday, trading took place in the parallel market at a rate of about 14,500 liras to the dollar, according to unofficial monitoring sites, while the official exchange rate is set at 12,500 liras to the dollar.

The Syrian currency has lost more than 99% of its value since the outbreak of the war, after trading was taking place at 47 pounds to the dollar.

Inflation and the collapse of the national currency led to a sharp rise in prices.

The United Nations says that 16.7 million Syrians, including 5.5 million displaced within the country, need humanitarian aid this year, compared to 15.3 million who need this aid in 2023.