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

 FEBRUARY 2003

(A) Cost of Basic Food Items
Commodity

Kwacha

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Mealie meal

45,600

3 x 25 Kg bags

136,800

Beans

5,300

2 Kgs

10,600

Kapenta 43,000 1 Kg 43,000
Dry Fish 12,400 1 Kg 12,400

Meat (Mixed Cut)

8,000 4 Kgs 32,000

Eggs 1 unit

3,800 2 Units 7,600

Vegetable (Greens)

1,800

7.5 Kgs

13,500

Tomato 3,800 4 Kgs 15,200
Onion 2,100 4 Kgs 8,400
Milk 2,800 2 Litres 5,600

Cooking Oil

17,400

2x 2 litres

34,800

Bread

1,800

1 loaf/day

54,000

Sugar

2,800

8 x 1Kg

22,400

Salt

1,500

1 Kg

1,500

Tea (Leaves)

5,000

500 grams

5,000

Sub Total

K 402,800

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

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Charcoal

18,500

 2 x 90Kg bags

37,600

Soap (Lifebuoy)

1,300

10 tablets

13,000

Wash Soap (Paste)

2,000

4 x 500g

8,000

Jelly 3,500 1 x 500g 3,500
Electricity 87,000 87,000
Water (Medium Density) 34,000 34,000
Housing (Medium Density) 450,000 450,000
Sub Total  K 632,500
Total for Basic Needs Basket K 1,035,300

Totals this year

Jan

Click total to see actual Basket (K)

1,035,300

(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 28 February 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 Soweto Market, Chainda, Kabwata, Matero and schools, clinics/ hospitals around Lusaka.

Food basket intro


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