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 2003

(A) Cost of Basic Food Items
Commodity

Kwacha

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Mealie meal

41,800

3 x 25 Kg bags

125,400

Beans

5,000

2 Kgs

10,000

Kapenta 40,000 1 Kg 40,000
Dry Fish 10,500 1 Kg 10,500

Meat (Mixed Cut)

8,000 4 Kgs 32,000

Eggs 1 unit

4,200 2 Units 8,400

Vegetable (Greens)

1,700

7.5 Kgs

12,750

Tomato 2,300 4 Kgs 9,200
Onion 2,500 4 Kgs 10,000
Milk 3,000 2 Litres 6,000

Cooking Oil

17,400

2x 2 litres

34,800

Bread

1,800

1 loaf/day

54,000

Sugar

3,000

8 x 1Kg

24,000

Salt

1,400

1 Kg

1,400

Tea (Leaves)

5,200

500 grams

5,200

Sub Total

K 383,650

(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)

2,000

4 x 500g

8,000

Jelly 4,200 1 x 500g 4,200
Electricity 87,000 87,000
Water (Medium Density) 34,000 34,000
Housing (Medium Density) 450,000 450,000
Sub Total  K 647,200
Total for Basic Needs Basket K 1,030,850

Totals this year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

Click total to see actual Basket (K)

1,035,300

1,035,300 1,033,750 1,030,850
(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"
SALARY Teacher: Secretary in civil Service      Nurse Police Officer Security Guard
Primary K280,000 - K309,000
Secondary K297,000 - K497,000 K270,000 - K370,000 K250,000 - K320,000 K120,000-K300,000 K40,000-K180,000

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

This survey was conducted on 29 April 2003 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, Town Centre and City Market, Chawama, Chainda, Kabwata, Matero and schools, clinics/ hospitals around Lusaka.

Food basket intro


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