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Politics

Poverty, Unrest, 100% Inflation Fray Argentina’s Social Fabric

  • Surging prices are driving protests and political infighting
  • Government announced a revamped price control plan Friday
Demonstrators during anti-government protests during anti-government protests at the Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. 

Demonstrators during anti-government protests during anti-government protests at the Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. 

Photographer: Anita Pouchard Serra/Bloomberg
Updated on

Inflation in Argentina heading toward 100% is supercharging the government’s woes as real wages lag, increasing social distress and leading to a record level of protests so far this year. 

Government data released Thursday showed overall paychecks in September rose 78% from a year ago, lagging behind 83% annual inflation. The growing gap between salaries and inflation is leading to routine marches across the country. On Friday, the government relaunched a program that freezes prices on over 1,500 products.