Benghazi – Libyan cities appear vibrant in the evening. Shop lights twinkle brightly. Car traffic remains constant. Vendor voices blend with market crowds. Everything suggests stability.
However, hidden poverty stories lie beneath this facade. Some families have a stable income. Yet, they struggle to meet basic needs like food, health, and education. A mother budgeting monthly finds her salary barely lasts two weeks. Rent is high. Medical bills await payment. Children wear clean clothes despite their hardship.
Social specialists confirmed this in a statement to the Libyan News Agency. Rising living costs contribute to the spread of hidden poverty. High rents and fluctuating incomes also play a role. Fixed-income employees are particularly affected. Their salaries no longer keep pace with escalating prices.
Psychosocial specialist Khaled Attia points out the deep psychological impact of hidden poverty. Families reduce spending on healthcare and education. They might also incur continuous debt. This is often done to maintain an “acceptable” social image. This situation increases stress and anxiety within homes. It silently threatens family stability.
Aziza, a teacher and mother of five, states that social shame prevents many from admitting their struggles. She notes that an employee who lived with dignity years ago now calculates the cost of every loaf of bread. They also calculate the cost of every schoolbook.
Specialists affirm that addressing this phenomenon requires several actions. Income levels must improve. Prices need control. Social support policies should be reviewed to expand the beneficiary base. The battle is not just against visible poverty. It is also against the silence that conceals the suffering of a large segment of society.
In Libyan cities, everything might appear fine. Yet, behind the crowds and lights, stories await discovery.