One third of Egyptians curb consumption of goods following fuel, electricity subsidy cuts

Subsidy cuts drive down food consumption: 34% of Egyptians have begun curbing their consumption of various consumer goods, most notably food, as a result of the recent fuel and electricity subsidy cuts, according to a poll the Egyptian Center for Public Opinion (Baseera) released yesterday (pdf). 84% of those polled also said that their monthly expenditures have seen a jump. Nearly two thirds of respondents said they see a correlation between the lifting of fuel and electricity subsidies and the increase in prices of other commodities, and 66% said they do not approve of the subsidy cuts. The poll notes that dissatisfaction with the decision is more prevalent among young respondents, 80% of whom said they do not approve, while those aged above 50 were split more or less down the middle. 68% of lower-income respondents disapproved of the subsidy cuts, compared to 62% of high-income respondents.