JCTR FOOD BASKET: COST OF LIVING SURVEY                             FEBRUARY 2001            (Note: US $1=K3,600)

A.  FOOD BASKET FOR A FAMILY OF SIX IN LUSAKA:

Commodity

Kwacha

Quantity

Final Total

Mealie meal

18,000

3 x 25 Kg bags

  54,000

Charcoal

13,000

2 x 90 Kg bags

  26,000

Cooking Oil

13,200

2 x 2.5 Litres

  26,400

Vegetables

1,500

for 30 days

  45,000

Meat (Brisket) 1 Kg

6,840

2 Kg/week

  54,720

Eggs 1 unit

3,000

I unit/week

  12,000

Bread

1,400

1 loaf/day

  42,000

Sugar 2 Kg

4,440

4 packets

  17,760

Salt 1 Kg

1100

1 packet

    1,100

Tea 250 grams

8,750

2 packets

  17,500

Soap (Geisha)

1,700

6 tablets

  10,200

Wash-Soap (Surf) 500 g

4,200

4 packets

  16,800

Vaseline 100 grams

2,300

2 jars

   4,600

328,080

 

Totals for previous Years:

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

February

185,580

194,200

190,350

244,810

265,320

328,080

January 170,592 197,700 186,950 240,920 263,370 319,870

 

Supplementary items for nutrition:

 

  Commodity

Kwacha

Quantity

Final Total

  Beans smallest size

    K2,500

 2 /week

K20,000

  Kapenta smallest size

    K2,300

 2 /week

K18,400

  Milk 1 litre

    K1,850

 2 litres/week

K14,800

 

B.  SOME NON-FOOD ITEMS

Item Kwacha Item Kwacha
Education (per year-PTA) Transport Bus fare round trip:
     Primary K20,000-K30,000            Chilenje -Town K2,000
    Secondary K75,000-K185,000            Chelston-Town K2,800
Health (monthly scheme) K1000            Matero-Town K1,600
Housing (medium density) K200,000-K300,000 Electricity (medium/high density) K60,000-K90,000
Housing (high density) K80,000-K150,000 Water (medium/high density) K15,000-K40,000

C.  SOME COMPARATIVE FIGURES OF WAGES--''TAKE HOME PAY''

Teacher: Secretary in civil Service      Nurse Police Officer Security Guard
1. Primary
2. Secondary
SALARY 1. K110,000-K150,000 K125,000-K175,000 K125,000-K175,000 K100,000-K180,000 K40,000-K180,000
2. K150,000-K210,000

 

This survey was conducted on 28 February 2001 by the Economic and Social Development Research Project of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection.  Average prices were calculated on the basis of prices gathered from large retail shops at Northmead, Longacres, Town Centre and Soweto Market and schools, clinics/hospitals around Lusaka.

 

Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, P.O. Box 37774, 10101 Lusaka, Zambia Tel: 260-1-290-410. Fax: 260-1-290-759.

E-mail: jctr@zamnet.zm Internet: www.jctr.org.zm