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

 JANUARY 2003

(A) Cost of Basic Food Items
Commodity

Kwacha

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Mealie meal

43,000

3 x 25 Kg bags

129,000

Beans

5,800

2 Kgs

11,600

Kapenta 46,000 1 Kg 46,000
Dry Fish 14,000 1 Kg 14,000

Meat (Mixed Cut)

8,400 4 Kgs 33,600

Eggs 1 unit

3,700 2 Units 7,400

Vegetable (Greens)

2,300

7.5 Kgs

17,250

Tomato 4,000 4 Kgs 16,000
Onion 2,200 4 Kgs 8,800
Milk 2,700 2 Litres 5,400

Cooking Oil

16,200

2x 2 litres

32,400

Bread

1,700

1 loaf/day

51,000

Sugar

2,800

8 x 1Kg

22,400

Salt

1,400

1 Kg

1,400

Tea (Leaves)

4,800

500 grams

4,800

Sub Total

K 401,050

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

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Charcoal

18,300

 2 x 90Kg bags

36,600

Soap (Lifebuoy)

900

10 tablets

9,000

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 628,100
Total for Basic Needs Basket K 1,029,150

Totals this year

Click total to see actual Basket (K)

(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 31 January 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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