Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection - JCTR

 

Basic Needs Basket

An estimated Basic Needs Basket for a family of 
Six in Lusaka


FOR THE MONTH OF

APRIL 2005

(A) Cost of Basic Food Items
Commodity

Kwacha

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Mealie Meal (Breakfast)

33,300

3 x 25 Kg bags

99,900

Beans

6,000

2 Kgs

12,000

Kapenta (Siavonga) 32,000 2 Kg 64,000
Dry Fish 41,000 1 Kg 41,000

Meat (Mixed Cut)

14,500 4 Kgs 58,000

Eggs

5,400 2 Units 10,800

Vegetable (Greens)

2,200

7.5 Kgs

16,500

Tomato 2,500 4 Kgs 10,000
Onion 2,400 4 Kgs 9,600
Milk (Fresh) 8,620 1 x 2 Litres 8,620

Cooking Oil

17,500

2 x 2 litres

35,000

Bread

2,400

1 loaf/day

72,000

Sugar

4,100

8Kgs

32,800

Salt

2,000

1 Kg

2,000

Tea (Leaves)

10,600

1 X 500 g

10,600

Sub Total

K 482,820

(B) Cost of Essential Non-Food Items
Commodity Kwacha

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Charcoal

36,600

 2 x 90Kg bags

73,200

Soap (Lifebuoy)

1,300

10 tablets

13,000

Wash Soap (Paste)

2,600

4 x 500g

10,400

Jelly (e.g. Vaseline) 5,500 1 x 500g 5,500
Electricity 113,000 113,000
Water (Medium Density) 34,000 34,000
Housing (Medium Density) 600,000 600,000
Sub Total  K 849,100
Total for Basic Needs Basket K 1,331,920

Monthly TOTALS

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

June

July August September October November December

 for 2005

1,340,840

1,333,170 1,331,950

(C) Some Other Additional Costs
Item Kwacha
Education (per year-PTA)
  Basic (grades 8-9) K65,000 - K150,000
Secondary (grades 10-12) K200,000-240,000
Health (monthly scheme per person) K1,500
Transport Bus Fare round trip:
  Chilenje - Town K 3,400
  Chelstone - Town K 4,000
  Matero - Town K 3,200
Please note that other costs would include personal care, clothing, recreation, etc.
(D) Some Comparative Figures of wages - "Take Home Pay"
  Teacher: Secretary in civil Service      Nurse Police Officer (Constable-Chief Inspector) Security Guard in Security Firm
SALARY K407,000 to K913,000 K390,000 to K791,000 K461,000 to K1,489,000

K375,000 to K679,000

K200,000 to K715,000

This survey was conducted on 27th - 28th April 2005 by the Social Conditions Research Project of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection.  Average prices were calculated on the basis of prices gathered from retail outlets at Northmead, Town Centre (Shoprite), City Market, Chawama, Chainda, Kabwata, Matero and schools, clinics/ hospitals around Lusaka. The January Basic Needs Basket is approximately US $291 based upon an average middle exchange rate of 4580 Kwacha per US $ at the end of April.

Food basket intro


Home | Information | Activities | Updates | JCTR Bulletin | Networking | Publications | Jubilee Zambia