A recent report by the state-run daily Shargh highlights the accelerating financial collapse of Iran’s middle class, particularly among educated young people. Despite working multiple jobs, many find themselves slipping into poverty, with once-modest comforts like travel, dining out, and small savings now out of reach. These “poor middle class” Iranians describe a cycle of shrinking opportunities, rising costs, and mounting anxiety that undermines their quality of life.
Personal testimonies illustrate the depth of the crisis. A young woman noted that even with a salary increase, her purchasing power has declined dramatically, forcing her to forgo basic personal care and leisure. Similarly, young couples report struggling to afford small joys like honeymoons or casual outings, despite both partners working full-time. Daily life has become centered on survival, with only essential goods within reach.
Beyond economic hardships, the mental toll on Iran’s youth is profound. Many live in constant fear of running out of money, unable to save or plan for the future. Psychologists warn that this chronic anxiety is affecting societal well-being, causing delays in marriage and family planning, and eroding hope among a generation.
Experts attribute the crisis to systemic inequality and government neglect. Inflation and soaring costs of goods, including a 60–70 percent increase in car prices in just one month, have left middle-class wage earners unable to keep up. Nearly a quarter of youth aged 15–25 are neither studying, working, nor in training, creating a vulnerable generation frustrated with economic and political structures.
Housing unaffordability and the disappearance of leisure activities symbolize broader despair. Young Iranians struggle not only to buy homes but even to afford basic rent, with higher salaries failing to improve their quality of life. The middle class, once an active force in public life, is increasingly depoliticized and disillusioned, feeling abandoned by authorities.
Shargh’s report emphasizes that the middle class is only one segment of a broader economic collapse. Lower-income groups face even harsher deprivation. The ongoing decline, widespread poverty, and erosion of social trust reflect systemic corruption and have contributed to daily protests, signaling that the economic and social pressures could ignite a nationwide uprising against the regime.
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