---
title: "Economic Crisis in Syria: Wave of Protests Over Fuel Subsidy Cuts"
description: "Massive protests in Syria against the abolition of fuel subsidies have exposed a deep socio-economic crisis. Despite government market reforms, 90% of the population lives in poverty."
date: 2026-10-03T10:06:38.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/economic-crisis-in-syria-2026
tags: [syria, economy, protests, fuel-subsidies, middle-east]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Economic Crisis in Syria: Wave of Protests Over Fuel Subsidy Cuts

![Protests in Syria against fuel subsidy cuts](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/03/ekonomicheskij-krizis-v-sirii-2026/ekonomicheskij-krizis-v-sirii-2026-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Syria is facing its largest wave of protests since the fall of the Assad regime in 2024.
- The abolition of fuel subsidies on September 13 raised diesel prices by 40% and gasoline by 25%.
- 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line, with wages failing to keep up with living costs.
- The IMF forecasts over 10% economic growth in 2026, but experts doubt it will alleviate poverty.

Massive protests have swept across Syria following the government's decision to abolish fuel subsidies, placing an unbearable financial burden on the population. In Idlib, Aleppo, and Hama, thousands of citizens took to the streets to express severe discontent over deteriorating socio-economic conditions following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in 2024.

### Causes and Consequences of Subsidy Removal

On September 13, the Syrian government announced the scrapping of fuel subsidies, citing soaring global energy prices driven by the war with Iran and attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. This decision triggered a 25% increase in gasoline prices and a 40% jump for diesel. Given that approximately 90% of Syria's population lives below the poverty line, these measures sparked four days of protests involving roadblocks and demands for the resignation of Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir.

### Market Reforms and Their Dark Side

President Ahmed al-Sharaa has stated that Syria is transitioning to a market economy, streamlining state apparatus, and opening doors for foreign investments. The IMF forecasts Syria's economic growth to exceed 10% in 2026. However, experts point out that macroeconomic growth does not translate into lower poverty or reduced living costs. About 7.2 million Syrians face acute food insecurity, and wages fail to keep pace with soaring inflation.

### Social Tension and Government Response

Analysts emphasize that large-scale investment projects, such as luxury developments in Damascus or reconstruction plans, offer little benefit to ordinary citizens and sometimes trigger new conflicts over property rights. Meanwhile, experts note that the government has refrained from a harsh crackdown, recognizing the protests as a warning sign of deep-rooted economic management flaws.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Экономический кризис в Сирии](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/cuoc-khung-hoang-kinh-te-cua-syria) - Данные о протестах, отменах субсидий 13 сентября и оценках экспертов полностью совпадают с первоисточником.

## ❓ FAQ