Member of the Political Committee of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Bahjat al-Atasi, has expressed no surprise at Syria’s placement at the top of the list of the most miserable Arab countries for 2022. Al-Atasi attributed this to the enduring survival of a regime that relentlessly combats its own people, utilizing all available means to maintain control over the nation’s resources.
Al-Atasi emphasized that Syria has become the most devastated country globally, with the Assad regime’s failed policies resulting in abysmal growth rates across all economic sectors. Meanwhile, regime ministers boastfully claim that Syria competes with major global powers in terms of mineral resources.
Furthermore, Al-Atasi asserted that a regime engaged in a 12-year-long battle against its own citizens, employing various lethal weapons, will inevitably disregard the well-being of its population. He highlighted how the regime’s war on the people has caused a complete breakdown of economic life throughout the country, leaving many struggling to secure a livelihood amidst widespread unemployment and extreme poverty.
According to a study conducted by Professor of Economics Steve Hanke at Johns Hopkins University, Syria ranked first in the Arab world and third globally on the misery index list for 2022, following Zimbabwe and Venezuela. The study evaluated factors such as unemployment, inflation, lending rates, and changes in per capita GDP.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
