From Living to Surviving / De vivir a sobrevivir
The cost of living or consumer price index is generally a serious indicator for countries, as it is one of the most important parameters of the economy and serves to shape public policies.
Unfortunately, in my country—Paraguay—the organization responsible for collecting data and conducting the corresponding economic studies is blatantly lying to us.
Yes, my friends, the Central Bank of Paraguay is now nothing more than a propaganda tool for a government that came to power amid serious doubts about its legitimacy. During the last general elections, more than half of the electronic voting machines were burned to ensure that the ruling party candidate won both the primaries and the general election.
From that point on, what we have experienced in Paraguay is an endless cycle of propaganda based on lies or poorly analyzed data.
For example, according to the Central Bank of Paraguay, we have had months with inflation below 3% and even a month with 0%! But reality is felt in people's wallets, and we feel cheated and mocked.
https://x.com/BCP_PY/status/1896927498866401553
As the owner of a small grocery store, I see constant price increases in all kinds of food. Almost every month, prices are adjusted upward. Due to the lack of jobs and wage increases that fail to match the rising cost of living, I witness how people—and my own family—are forced to reduce their quality of life.
https://x.com/ElediTHOR/status/1508494230846648321
Especially in my area, about 280 kilometers from the country's capital, the increase in poverty is palpable. This has always been the department with the highest levels of poverty, but the situation worsens by the day.
For example, in rural areas, people consume little bread, which today costs 10,000 guaraníes per kilo (approximately 1.25 USD). Instead, they eat a dish called "reviro," made with flour, a bit of oil, and a pinch of salt mixed and cooked in a pot or skillet, forming small clumps of dough.
Coffee is consumed rarely, if at all. It is replaced by a hot drink called "cocido," an infusion made from yerba mate and water. A 500-gram package of common yerba mate costs 6,500 guaraníes (about 0.81 USD).
Eating out has become nearly impossible, at least for those earning minimum wage or less. A breakfast consisting of a "chipa" and a black "cocido" costs 10,000 guaraníes. Lunch in a popular area, such as a market, costs at least 12,000 guaraníes for a half portion. Suppose one has the same for dinner as for breakfast; that’s another 10,000 guaraníes. So, just three basic meals cost 32,000 guaraníes per person daily.
The minimum wage¹ (2,798,309 guaraníes or 350,23 USD) has never covered a basic basket of goods. In theory, it is an amount that should allow a family to live with dignity, but that has never been the case. I know this from personal experience because, as a single person, it was barely enough for me. Nearly a third of that salary went toward rent, not for a house or two-room apartment but for a single room with a private bathroom.
Sadly, instead of legislating in favor of workers whose wages do not cover the cost of living, the government enacts laws allowing small and medium-sized enterprises to pay just 80% of the minimum wage, which by definition is the least an employer should pay.
If Paraguay does not have protests like those in Turkey, France, or Argentina, it’s not because we live well but because we’ve become complacent, tightening our belts a bit more instead of taking to the streets to demand change.
Credits: Markus Winkler
Original Language: Spanish
Translation Service: Microsoft Copilot
¹ https://www.mtess.gov.py/noticias/reajuste-del-jornal-y-salario-minimo-rige-desde-hoy
El costo de vida o índice de precios de consumo, por lo general son indicadores que los países toman con seriedad, ya que son uno de los parámetros más importantes de la economía y sirven para establecer políticas públicas.
Lamentablemente en mi país -Paraguay- el organismo encargado de relevar datos y realizar los estudios correspondientes en materia económica nos está mintiendo en nuestras narices.
Así es amigos, el Banco Central del Paraguay, ahora no es más que un instrumento de propaganda de un Gobierno que está en el poder tras serias dudas sobre su legitimidad, ya que para las pasadas elecciones generales, se quemaron más de la mitad de las urnas electrónicas de votación, para así asegurar que el candidato oficialista ganase las internas y luego las elecciones generales.
A partir de ese punto, lo que vivimos en Paraguay es una eterna propaganda basada en mentiras o datos mal analizados.
Por ejemplo, según el Banco Central del Paraguay, tuvimos meses con inflación menor s 3% y hasta un mes con 0%! Pero la realidad se siente en los bolsillos de la gente, y nos sentimos estafados y burlados.
https://x.com/BCP_PY/status/1896927498866401553
Como dueña de una pequeña tienda de víveres, veo la constante suba de precios, en todo tipo de alimentos, casi cada mes, hay remarque de precios, y debido a la falta de trabajo y de aumento de sueldos en la misma proporción que aumenta el costo de vida, veo cómo la gente, y nosotros mismos, vamos redudiendo nuestra calidad de vida.
https://x.com/ElediTHOR/status/1508494230846648321
Especialmente en mi zona, a unos 280 kilómetros de la capital del país, se siente el aumento de la pobreza. Siendo desde siempre este el departamento con mayor nivel de pobreza, cada vez veo peor la situación.
Por ejemplo, en el campo, las personas consumen poco pan, que hoy día está a 10 mil guaraníes el kilo (aproximadamente 1,25 USD), y en su lugar consumen un platillo llamado "reviro" que se prepara con harina, un poco de aceite, y una pizca de sal que se mezcla y se cocina en una olla o paila, y quedan como unos pequeños grumos de una especie de pasta.
El café se consume poco o nada, y se lo sustituye con una bebida caliente llamada "cocido", que es una infusión a base de yerba mate y agua. Un paquete de yerba mate común de 500 gramos cuesta 6.500 guaraníes (aproximadamente 0,81 USD).
Comer fuera de casa es una misión casi imposible, al menos si se gana un sueldo mínimo o menos. Un desayuno consistente en una chipa y un cocido negro cuesta 10.000 guaraníes. Almorzar en una zona popular como un mercado cuesta mínimo 12.000 guaraníes pidiendo media porción. Supongamos que se meriende lo mismo que en el desayuno, son otros 10.000 guaraníes. Así, solo en 3 comidas básicas se gasta 32.000 guaraníes diarios por persona.
El salario mínimo¹ (2.798.309 guaraníes o 350,23 USD), nunca cubrió una canasta básica. En teoría es un monto que debería permitir vivir de forma digna a una familia. Pero ese nunca fue el caso. Lo sé por experiencia propia, porque como persona soltera, apenas me alcanzaba, ya que casi una tercera parte de ese salario se ocupa en un alquiler, y ni siquiera hablamos de una casa o departamento de 2 ambientes, si no de una habitación con un baño privado.
Lamentablemente, los Gobiernos en lugar de legislar a favor de los trabajadores, cuyos salarios no cubren el costo de vida, se ensañan promulgando leyes que permiten que las Pymes paguen apenas un 80% de un salario mínimo, que por definición es lo menos que un empleador puede pagar.
Si en Paraguay no tenemos manifestaciones como las de Turkía, Francia o Argentina, no es porque vivamos bien, si no porque nos volvimos pusilánimes, y nos ajustamos un poco más el cinturón en lugar de salir a las calles a protestar.
It's almost like that in every country. The government is always pushing propaganda in order to fatten their pockets, and it is not doing anything to help the masses with the inflation of prices for goods and services. Things are really expensive and making money is so hard right now.
So sad but so true... I don't understand why politicians are so corrupts!
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I thought we were having it worse in my country, hearing about yours, I feel relieved. I mean I would a ruling party intentionally burn half of the voting machine to ensure they win both the primary and general election. If that is so, then what is the point of the election?
You're right, I don't know any county like mine, where such kind of events are the daily news... It's embarrassed 😣
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