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

NOVEMBER 2003

(A) Cost of Basic Food Items
Commodity

Kwacha

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Mealie meal

27,500

3 x 25 Kg bags

82,500

Beans

5,200

2 Kgs

10,400

Kapenta 47,000 1 Kg 47,000
Dry Fish 25,000 1 Kg 25,000

Meat (Mixed Cut)

11,000 4 Kgs 44,000

Eggs

5,000 2 Units 10,000

Vegetable (Greens)

1,600

7.5 Kgs

12,000

Tomato 2,800 4 Kgs 11,200
Onion 2,600 4 Kgs 9,600
Milk 3,500 2 Litres 7,000

Cooking Oil

16,000

2x 2 litres

32,000

Bread

2,000

1 loaf/day

60,000

Sugar

3,200

8 x 1Kg

25,600

Salt

1,500

1 Kg

1,500

Tea (Leaves)

6,000

500 grams

6,000

Sub Total

K 383,300

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

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Charcoal

26,000

 2 x 90Kg bags

52,000

Soap (Lifebuoy)

1,200

10 tablets

12,000

Wash Soap (Paste)

2,400

4 x 500g

9,600

Jelly 4,400 1 x 500g 4,400
Electricity 87,000 87,000
Water (Medium Density) 34,000 34,000
Housing (Medium Density) 450,000 450,000
Sub Total  K 649,000
Total for Basic Needs Basket K 1,032,800

This year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

June

July August September October November

1,035,300

1,035,300 1,033,750 1,030,850 1,028,650 1,012,100 1,005,100 1,014,500

1,027,450

1,031,700 1,032,800
(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
  Chelston - 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 27 November 2003 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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