In many parts of the world, soaring inflation has put a strain on everyday life, pushing living expenses far beyond the reach of average incomes. One such country, Syria, is grappling with this harsh reality in startling and unsettling ways. Recently, Elona Karafin, a popular travel content creator with over 300k followers on Instagram, captured a moment during her travels that perfectly encapsulated the country’s extreme economic challenges.
While visiting Syria, Elona was struck by the severe inflation that gripped the nation, particularly in the food and beverage sector. A single meal, she noted, wasn’t priced on menus, and diners were expected to pay with bundles of cash. This was not just an anomaly but a reflection of a much larger economic crisis that has left the country’s currency severely devalued and daily transactions almost entirely cash-based.
Syria’s economic turmoil is deeply rooted in years of conflict, international sanctions, and a global banking isolation that left the country’s currency in free fall. The Syrian pound plummeted so much that even essential goods became unaffordable for many. As a result, ordinary citizens often carried stacks of cash to meet their daily needs, as the value of the currency fluctuated rapidly from one moment to the next.
In Elona’s video, she shared the unsettling experience of seeing restaurant menus that lacked price listings, a practice now common in Syria. The reason? Prices change so frequently that listing them is practically impossible. One example she provided was the staggering cost of a single cup of coffee: 25,000 Syrian pounds.
To put this in perspective, the exchange rate, which once saw 1 US dollar equal 50 Syrian pounds, now crushes 15,000 Syrian pounds to the dollar. This dramatic devaluation reflects the country’s hyperinflationary environment, which made everyday items, including coffee, luxuries for most.
The impact of inflation is felt not only in the prices of goods but also in how people conduct their financial transactions. The daily struggle to manage money became part of everyday life for many Syrians, and it was an eye-opening experience for Elona, who was taken aback by the level of economic hardship.
The scenario she witnessed starkly illustrated the broader crisis: with little access to international trade, the scarcity of foreign goods compounded the difficulties faced by the population. Locally produced goods dominated the market, further driving up prices as demand often outstripped supply.
Elona’s video detailing her experience in Syria quickly went viral, amassing nearly 1 crore views. The video sparked a wave of reactions, with many viewers expressing disbelief at the high costs and the chaotic nature of currency in Syria. One viewer asked whether credit cards were accepted, while a Syrian local commented that the actual cost of coffee should be between 5,000 and 8,000 Syrian pounds, suggesting that Elona had been overcharged.
The video also prompted concerns from those who questioned how anyone could travel in such an environment, where handling large sums of cash seems to be an essential skill.
