'Costs Higher Than Salaries,' Argentinians Struggle To Survive As The Country's Inflation Rate Approaches 100%

Nearly 100%. That¡¯s the insanely high rate of inflation that the country of Argentina had in January 2023. As various measures for price controls continue to prove ineffective, the government¡¯s strategy ahead of the presidential elections later this year gets further complicated.

Argentina's Inflation Just Shy Of 100% Mark

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Argentina¡¯s inflation rate has hit just shy of 100 percent, its government said earlier this week, with savers feeling more pain from some of the world¡¯s fastest-rising prices and workers¡¯ budgets straining as costs outstrip salaries, as per a Reuters report.

The South American country, which has battled spiralling prices for years, saw monthly inflation speed up to 6 percent in January, in line with forecasts, while the annual figure hit 98.8 percent, the highest since hyperinflation in the 1990s.

Argentinians Struggle For Survival

30-year-old Gisella Saluzzo, a doctor in Buenos Aires, has had to tighten her belt.

¡°The truth is that I live day to day, I look for low prices, I go to markets. We look for where the meat is cheaper, the vegetables are cheaper, and hunt for online promotions to get by,¡± she told Reuters.

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Rampant inflation has slammed the economy, forcing the central bank to hike interest rates to an eye-popping 75 percent. It has taken a big bite out of the popularity of the centre-left Peronist government of President Alberto Fernandez ahead of general elections in October. The conservative opposition now leads in the polls as Argentinians are fed up with inflation, and many blame poor economic management and money printing by the government.

On the other hand, Brian Muliane, a 33-year-old chiropractor, said that between inflation and taxes, his business struggled to survive.

¡°In our work, between paying for one thing and another, along with taxes, they¡¯re drowning us,¡± he said. ¡°There are many who can¡¯t even work.¡±

Inflation ended 2022 at 95% and could still accelerate this year despite government measures to fight it. According to Reuters, many people have been forced to change their shopping habits and cut back on luxuries.

¡°There are things that I¡¯ve stopped buying because I say no, it is just impossible for it to increase like this,¡± said 50-year-old teacher Andrea Mendoza as she was out shopping. ¡°So I don¡¯t buy some things, I change habits or buy offers.

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