Daily life under rising inflation, rising unemployment and vanishing opportunities has become a constant struggle for many young Iranians.
In cities and towns across Iran, younger generations face a reality where dreams are postponed, voices are suppressed, and the future becomes more uncertain.
“My city used to be beautiful, but now it’s becoming lifeless. All my friends are leaving,” Gen Z Iranian Elnaz* told DW.
“I want our concerns about inflation and high prices to turn into concerns about whether we spend our summer vacations in our own city or travel to Iran,” she said.
Elnaaz has worked toward financial independence over the past few years by training for two different jobs. But he said work has stalled in recent months amid Iran’s mini-conflict with Israel and the return of international sanctions over Tehran’s nuclear weapons program.
“People my age, who have family support, are doing better. But for people like me, there is no hope. I envy the youth of other countries – their concerns are not even close to our concerns.
Young Iranians are struggling to find work
Despite official claims of a 7.6% unemployment rate, a closer look at Iran’s labor market reveals a sobering story – especially for youth and women. Nearly 1 in 5 young Iranians is unemployed.
For millions of people, having a job no longer means escaping poverty, with some estimates showing that 80% of households have earnings below the global poverty line.
Young Iranian Bita* describes daily life with quiet despair.
“The prices are unbelievable and change by the day. Despite having two incomes in our household, we can barely afford basic groceries, which is not enough,” he told DW.
“It is almost impossible to buy clothes, shoes or anything extra. Meat, chicken, fish and even rice cannot be bought in a single month. We have to spread them over several months,” he said.
Beata is also a pet owner, which puts more pressure on her budget.
“Even pet food prices are skyrocketing. Many pet owners are giving away their animals because they are no longer able to keep them. Even these poor animals have seen their quality of life decline.”
war and sanctions
In June, Iran’s already fragile economy was further shaken during a 12-day conflict with Israel.
For ordinary Iranians, the impact was immediate. Prices rose further, and fears of further rises arose.
The recent return of UN sanctions over Iran’s nuclear weapons program has added to growing global pressure on Tehran, and many Iranians fear the worst is yet to come.
Beata described the mood after the conflict as a mixture of anger and despair.
“Some people are very optimistic and optimistic. Others are completely disappointed and pessimistic. Some are waiting for help from outside, while others are strictly against any kind of foreign intervention. The divide is very deep.”
A young man, Amin*, told DW that beneath the surface a quiet but widespread public anger was boiling.
“What you hear most is pure despair – especially among young people. The lack of any clear future or opportunity for growth affects them the most, and their desperation is more visible. You often hear people so desperate that they begin to see war or even death as a way of escape.”
Amin believes that the Islamic Republic regime would be directly responsible if another war broke out.
He believes that Iran’s rulers have refused to compromise and continue to block any possibility of dialogue or cooperation with the international community. In the event of another conflict, not only would there not be public support, he said, but supporters of the regime could also begin to move away.
Amin said, “The regime’s dominant narrative – that foreign threats will unite the people – has already lost credibility. In the next war, this illusion will be further shattered.”
These young Iranians say they are worried that ordinary people will bear the brunt of any future conflict, threatening their existing stability and livelihoods. If war breaks out again, Iran could become a broken, bankrupt country – with no reform, no change, and nothing left to rebuild.
Iran’s Gen Z has hope
Years of political repression, economic hardship, and social restrictions have led many young Iranians to leave the country.
Those who have already gone have studied, worked and experienced personal freedoms that would have been unimaginable back home – the ability to speak, to plan for the future and to build a life without fear.
Still, many say that if conditions improve, they will return to Iran to help rebuild.
“My biggest wish is to be able to hug someone very dear to me, from whom I have been separated because of all this,” Elnaz said, referring to a family member living abroad.
Bita also has similar hopes.
“I carry deep regrets in my heart and I never imagined that, approaching middle age, I would be burdened with so much stress and anxiety. Personal dreams have faded – now, my only wish is freedom, prosperity and economic revival in our motherland.”
*Names and identities have been changed for security reasons
Edited by: Wesley Rahn