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

 MARCH 2003

(A) Cost of Basic Food Items
Commodity

Kwacha

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Mealie meal

45,400

3 x 25 Kg bags

136,200

Beans

5,000

2 Kgs

10,000

Kapenta 43,000 1 Kg 43,000
Dry Fish 12,800 1 Kg 12,800

Meat (Mixed Cut)

8,000 4 Kgs 32,000

Eggs 1 unit

3,800 2 Units 7,600

Vegetable (Greens)

1,700

7.5 Kgs

12,750

Tomato 3,200 4 Kgs 12,800
Onion 2,100 4 Kgs 8,400
Milk 2,800 2 Litres 5,600

Cooking Oil

18,000

2x 2 litres

36,000

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 400,050

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

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Charcoal

19,600

 2 x 90Kg bags

39,200

Soap (Lifebuoy)

1,200

10 tablets

12,000

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 633,700
Total for Basic Needs Basket K 1,033,750

Totals this year

Jan

Feb

March

Click total to see actual Basket (K)

1,035,300

K1,035,300 1,033,750
(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 March 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 retail shops at Northmead, Town Centre, Soweto, Chawama, Chainda, Kabwata, Matero and schools, clinics/ hospitals around Lusaka.

Food basket intro


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