The Social Risks of Economic Inflation and its impact on Egyptian Family Consumption Patterns: A field study on a sample of middle-class Families in Mansoura

Inflation is one of the most dangerous economic issues that present itself at the present time at all levels globally and locally, as Egypt is witnessing an unprecedented inflationary wave that has increased in severity in recent years. Inflation has economic repercussions and social risks that threaten the security and stability of broad societal groups, which represents a real threat to society socially and security-wise.
The current study aims to provide an integrated picture of the reality of the inflation phenomenon globally and locally, and to identify the reasons leading to its escalation at the present time and the impact of high inflation rates on the consumption patterns of middle-class families and their adaptation mechanisms to rising waves of inflation, and to monitor the social risks to which families are exposed as a result of living pressures and crises. The current economic situation and the evaluation of the social support and protection programs provided by the state to protect the groups most affected by the risks of inflation.
The study used the descriptive approach and used a case study using an in-depth interview guide for 25 cases of heads of middle-class families. It took into account diversity in age group and educational and professional level so that the sample was representative of the various segments of the middle class, The application was carried out in the city of Mansoura in Dakahlia Governorate.
The study reached results, the most important of which is that the high rates of inflation affected the consumption patterns of middle-class families. The purchasing power of income decreased, which led to reducing spending to the minimum, making the family unable to meet its necessary requirements. Inflation led to changing their consumption pattern to become forced and without a choice. Disability and deprivation become a feature of their lives, and poverty creeps into the middle class and swallows up its limited savings, gradually declining to the number of poor, which results in the collapse and erosion of the middle class. Studies have monitored many social risks to which families are exposed, ranging from quarrels and the resulting domestic violence. divorce, To family crimes, high suicide rates, and the spread of abnormal social phenomena that destroy the system of human values, destroy generations, and lead to destabilizing the security and stability of society.