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

SEPTEMBER 2004

(A) Cost of Basic Food Items
Commodity

Kwacha

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Mealie meal

28,200

3 x 25 Kg bags

84,600

Beans

5,800

2 Kgs

11,600

Kapenta 28,000 1 Kg 56,000
Dry Fish 37,000 1 Kg 37,000

Meat (Mixed Cut)

14,200 4 Kgs 56,800

Eggs

5,000 2 Units 10,000

Vegetable (Greens)

2,400

7.5 Kgs

18,000

Tomato 1,700 4 Kgs 6,800
Onion 2,200 4 Kgs 8,800
Milk 4,100 2 Litres 8,200

Cooking Oil

17,000

2 x 2 litres

34,000

Bread

2,200

1 loaf/day

66,000

Sugar

3,700

8 x 1Kg

29,600

Salt

2,000

1 Kg

2,000

Tea (Leaves)

10,000

500 grams

10,000

Sub Total

K 439,400

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

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Charcoal

30,000

 2 x 90Kg bags

60,000

Soap (Lifebuoy)

1,200

10 tablets

12,000

Wash Soap (Paste)

2,550

4 x 500g

10,200

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 657,700
Total for Basic Needs Basket K 1,097,100

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 1,113,900 1,118,700 1,105,100 1,100,200

(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 3,000
  Chelstone - Town K 3,600
  Matero - Town K 2,800
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 30 september 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 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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