Syria's Cost of Living Crisis Deepens as SMEB Costs Soar
The cost of living in Syria continued to rise in August 2026, according to a recent report from the Joint Market Monitoring Initiative (JMMI). The national median cost of the Survival Minimum Expenditure Basket (SMEB) increased by 7% compared to May 2026, reaching USD 173. This increase was observed across all assessed regions, with Northeastern Syria (NES) experiencing the largest rise at 13%. In Northwest Syria (NWS), where the Turkish lira (TRY) is widely used, the currency depreciated by 6% against the US dollar.
The food component of the SMEB saw a significant increase in August 2026, rising by 9% to USD 127. This was driven mainly by protein prices, which increased by 44.1% for chicken and 27.7% for eggs. In contrast, vegetable prices dropped by 39.1%. The cost of cooking fuel also rose across most assessed regions, with the largest increase recorded in NWS at 12%. Transportation fuel prices increased sharply between May and August 2026, rising by 25% for petrol and 18-22% for diesel.
Market functionality remained constrained in August 2026, with affordability being the primary constraint. Of the 110 assessed subdistricts, only 2 were classified as fully functional, while 69 showed reduced or stressed functionality due to affordability issues.