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

MAY 2003

(A) Cost of Basic Food Items
Commodity

Kwacha

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Mealie meal

36,500

3 x 25 Kg bags

109,500

Beans

4,300

2 Kgs

8,600

Kapenta 40,000 1 Kg 40,000
Dry Fish 14,000 1 Kg 14,000

Meat (Mixed Cut)

8,700 4 Kgs 34,800

Eggs 1 unit

4,200 2 Units 8,400

Vegetable (Greens)

1,700

7.5 Kgs

12,750

Tomato 2,200 4 Kgs 8,800
Onion 2,600 4 Kgs 10,400
Milk 3,200 2 Litres 6,400

Cooking Oil

17,800

2x 2 litres

35,600

Bread

1,900

1 loaf/day

57,000

Sugar

3,000

8 x 1Kg

24,000

Salt

1,400

1 Kg

1,400

Tea (Leaves)

5,300

500 grams

5,300

Sub Total

K 376,950

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

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Charcoal

28,000

 2 x 90Kg bags

56,000

Soap (Lifebuoy)

1,200

10 tablets

12,000

Wash Soap (Paste)

2,100

4 x 500g

8,400

Jelly 4,300 1 x 500g 4,300
Electricity 87,000 87,000
Water (Medium Density) 34,000 34,000
Housing (Medium Density) 450,000 450,000
Sub Total  K 651,700
Total for Basic Needs Basket K 1,028,650

Totals this year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Click total to see actual Basket (K)

1,035,300

1,035,300 1,033,750 1,030,850 1,028,650
(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"
  Teacher: Secretary in civil Service      Nurse Police Officer Security Guard
SALARY K407,000 to K913,000 K390,000 to K791,000 K461,000 to K715,000 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 May 2003 by the Social Conditions 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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