UNDP Report: 90% of Syrians live in poverty as war and sanctions devastate economy

NEW YORK — In a report from February, the United Nations revealed that 90% of Syria’s population now lives below the poverty line, a staggering increase from pre-war levels. According to Hanny Megally, a senior official with the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, most Syrians survive on less than $2 per day. The economic collapse, exacerbated by 14 years of war and international sanctions, has left millions struggling to meet their basic needs.

Economic Devastation and Humanitarian Crisis

Since the war began in 2011, Syria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has plummeted to less than half its pre-conflict value. Unemployment has soared, with one in four Syrians jobless. The destruction of infrastructure has been catastrophic: 80% of the country’s energy capacity has been lost, 70% of power plants are damaged, and inflation has made essential goods unaffordable for most of the population. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) warns that, at the current rate, Syria’s economy may not recover to 2010 levels before 2080.

The humanitarian situation is equally dire. More than half of the population has been displaced, including 7.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 6 million refugees. The UN’s $5.4 billion appeal for Syria remains only 12% funded, raising fears of severe cuts to emergency aid, including a 40% reduction in food assistance for millions.

Sanctions and Calls for Policy Change

Megally emphasized that Western sanctions, imposed on the Assad regime for human rights violations, have inadvertently worsened conditions for ordinary Syrians. “Millions are unemployed and without income. The sanctions, while targeting the regime, also affect Syrians who want to rebuild their country,” he stated.

Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have urged the European Union to reconsider the sanctions, arguing that they hinder Syria’s recovery. However, proponents of sanctions maintain that they are essential for pressuring the Assad government to engage in political reforms and ensure accountability for war crimes.

Nation in Need of Urgent Action

The UNDP report highlights the need for a coordinated international effort to stabilize Syria’s economy, facilitate reconstruction, and prevent further humanitarian catastrophe. Experts stress the importance of a clear national vision, institutional reforms, and sustained global support to prevent Syria from becoming a permanently failed state.

For now, Syrians continue to bear the burden of war, sanctions, and economic collapse — waiting for the day when recovery becomes more than just a distant hope.