Everything is getting more expensive. And it’s happening in almost every country in the world. The war in Ukraine, coronavirus, climate change, rising oil prices—a swirling cocktail of global shocks has led to people feeling the pinch in their pockets.
Though the crisis is global, its impacts are pretty varied from country to country as you’ll see in the collection below. Protests have erupted in several nations, public sector workers have gone on strike, and governments have found their power threatened.
But this cost of living crisis has other, sometimes even more insidious, impacts that fly under the international news radar. The ripple effect on humanitarian aid is just one example. With money from Western governments flowing to the war in Ukraine, there is less to spend in, say, Somalia, which is teetering on the brink of full-blown famine.
So, alongside tips to help you navigate these difficult economic times, we’ve brought you stories of how the crisis is impacting people around the world, and how they’re coping as well.
Women Turn To Sex Work to Survive UK Cost-Of-Living Crisis
BM: “This piece from the UK has some really harrowing stats, such as half of single mothers being unable to afford food or essential supplies in the last 12 months. So, some are turning to sex work for the first time in order to survive. And there’s another impact discussed here: sex workers themselves are seeing their incomes plummet, forcing many to get involved in more risky activities to keep the money coming in.”
Barry Malone
Barry Malone is Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Context. Previously, he was a foreign correspondent who lived in and reported from countries, including Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Libya, Iraq and Tunisia. He has also been Digital Editor at Al Jazeera, and for several years ran a live talk show focused on international politics and culture. You can follow him on Twitter @malonebarry.