Trading joys for essentials, when Bahrain's inflation takes a bite

TDT | Manama         

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Julia Cassano

Eating out emerged as the predominant casualty in Bahrain, according to a widely circulated online survey that queried respondents about the impacts of inflation on their choices.

The survey, publicly conducted within a Bahrain chatroom, garnered a total of 346 responses. Coffee, eating out, subscriptions and memberships, transportation, and weekend activities were among the options in the survey. 

Eating out secured the top position, drawing 113 votes as the most forsaken activity due to inflation, followed closely by weekend activities which obtained 103 votes for second place. Subscriptions and memberships claimed third place with 86 votes, while coffee and transportation secured 36 and 8 votes respectively.

As inflation surges, so do the costs of goods and services, directly impacting purchasing power. Inflation essentially erodes individuals’ capacity to afford basic necessities such as food, housing, medications, and transportation. In the past, people eagerly awaited their weekends for enjoying coffee outside or using their monthly subscriptions to online services for streaming music and movies.

However, the present reality sees citizens and residents in Bahrain relinquishing these simple pleasures to make ends meet. With the burden of increasing living costs, many have had to forgo these simple joys to cater to more essential obligations, ultimately diminishing their quality of life.

Bahrainis and residents conveyed to The Daily Tribune that even stepping outside now incurs expenses that are incompatible with today’s cost of living crisis. Hannah, a Bahraini, revealed to The Daily Tribune that it’s not merely the elevated cost of dining out that has deterred her, but also the smaller portion sizes and deteriorating product quality.

“My family and I used to dine out frequently, but now we view it as a luxury, as we have more pressing expenses to address, such as groceries, car payments, and school fees.”

“Hanging out with friends or having an enjoyable night out demands at least BD 50, an expenditure many, especially the younger generation, cannot afford. It is scary to think about my future, and what it holds for me.”

Louis, an American resident in Bahrain, similarly disclosed that he’s had to relinquish simple liberties to cope with mounting costs. “I’ve stopped purchasing coffee and meals from online food apps to avoid the additional delivery fees.

That’s not to say I never use delivery apps, but I now brew my own coffee and cook as much as possible, resulting in great savings every month.” As ordinary individuals make these sacrifices to meet vital financial demands, their overall quality of life inevitably wanes.