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

MAY 2004

(A) Cost of Basic Food Items
Commodity

Kwacha

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Mealie meal

29,200

3 x 25 Kg bags

87,000

Beans

4,800

2 Kgs

9,600

Kapenta 34,000 1 Kg 68,000
Dry Fish 40,000 1 Kg 40,000

Meat (Mixed Cut)

12,600 4 Kgs 50,400

Eggs

5,100 2 Units 10,200

Vegetable (Greens)

2,600

7.5 Kgs

19,500

Tomato 2,800 4 Kgs 11,200
Onion 2,700 4 Kgs 10,800
Milk 4,200 2 Litres 8,400

Cooking Oil

18,000

2 x 2 litres

36,000

Bread

2,100

1 loaf/day

63,000

Sugar

3,800

8 x 1Kg

30,400

Salt

2,100

1 Kg

2,100

Tea (Leaves)

9,800

500 grams

9,800

Sub Total

K 456,400

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

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Charcoal

30,200

 2 x 90Kg bags

60,400

Soap (Lifebuoy)

1,200

10 tablets

12,000

Wash Soap (Paste)

2,400

4 x 500g

9,600

Jelly (e.g. Vaseline) 4,500 1 x 500g 4,500
Electricity 87,000 87,000
Water (Medium Density) 34,000 34,000
Housing (Medium Density) 450,000 450,000
Sub Total  K 657,500
Total for Basic Needs Basket K 1,113,900

Monthly TOTALS

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

June

July August September October November December

 for 2004

1,065,900

1,078,750 1,094,100 1,094,100

(C) Some Other Additional Costs
Item Kwacha
Education (per year-PTA)
  Basic School K75,000 - K185,000
Health (monthly scheme per person) K1,500
Transport Bus Fare round trip:
  Chilenje - Town K 2,600
  Chelstone - Town K 3,200
  Matero - Town K 2,400
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 Security Guard
SALARY K407,000 to K913,000 K390,000 to K791,000 K461,000 to K1,489,000 K120,000 to K300,000 K40,000 to K180,000

Please note that we are trying to get updated figures of the categories shown above

This survey was conducted on 28 May 2004 by the Social Conditions Research Project of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection.  Average prices were calculated on the basis of prices gathered from large retail outlets at Northmead, Town Centre (Shoprite), City Market, Chawama, Chainda, Kabwata, Matero and schools, clinics/ hospitals around Lusaka.

Food basket intro


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