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

JULY 2005

(A) Cost of Basic Food Items
Commodity

Kwacha

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Mealie Meal (Breakfast)

35,600

3 x 25 Kg bags

106,800

Beans

6,000

2 Kgs

12,000

Kapenta (Siavonga) 37,600 2 Kg 75,200
Dry Fish 53,300 1 Kg 53,300

Meat (Mixed Cut)

14,700 4 Kgs 58,800

Eggs

5,100 2 Units 10,200

Vegetable (Greens)

2,000

7.5 Kgs

15,000

Tomato 2,500 4 Kgs 10,000
Onion 2,500 4 Kgs 10,000
Milk (Fresh) 8,470 1 x 2 Litres 8,470

Cooking Oil

17,200

2 x 2 litres

34,400

Bread

2,400

1 loaf/day

72,000

Sugar

4,400

8Kgs

35,200

Salt

2,100

1 Kg

2,100

Tea (Leaves)

10,400

1 X 500 g

10,400

Sub Total

K 513,870

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

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Charcoal

36,200

 2 x 90Kg bags

72,400

Soap (Lifebuoy)

1,200

10 tablets

12,000

Wash Soap (Paste)

2,700

4 x 400g

10,800

Jelly (e.g. Vaseline) 5,700 1 x 500ml 5,700
Electricity 113,000 113,000
Water (Medium Density) 34,000 34,000
Housing (Medium Density) 600,000 600,000
Sub Total  K 847,900
Total for Basic Needs Basket K 1,361,770

Monthly TOTALS

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

June

July August September October November December

 for 2005

1,340,840

1,333,170 1,331,950 1,331,920 1,352,130 1,349,650

(C) Some Other Additional Costs
Item Kwacha
Education (per year-PTA)
Basic (grades 8-9) K65,000 - K150,000
Secondary (grades 10-12) K200,000-240,000
   
Health (Clinic/ Hospital Fee)  
Monthly Scheme (per person) K1,500
No Scheme Emergency Fee K8,000
Mosquito Net (Private shop) K18,000 - K27,000
   
Transport Bus Fare round trip:
Chilenje - Town K 3,400
Chelstone - Town K 4,000
Matero - Town K 3,200
 
Fuel (Cost at the pump)
Petrol (per litre) K 5,420
Diesel (per litre) K 4,960
Paraffin (per litre) K 3,860
"Ndlama zamene tifora muma sitolo yaku Kamwala nizi ng'ono sizikwanira kugura zofunika zonse pa nyumba monga kuri ise tiri nama banja". - Shopkeeper, Lusaka.
(D) Some Comparative Figures of wages - "Take Home Pay"
 

Teacher

Nurse

     Guard in Security Firm

Secretary in civil Service

Police Officer (Constable-Chief Inspector)

Kamwala Shopkeeper
(Assistant-Manager)

SALARY K407,000 to K913,000 K577,000 to K1,861,000 K120,000 to K715,000

K493,000 to K989,000

K375,000 to K679,000

K75,000 to K250,000

 

 

This survey was conducted on 27th July 2005 by the Social Conditions Research Project of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection.  Average prices were calculated on the basis of prices gathered from retail outlets at Northmead, Town Centre (Shoprite), City Market, Chawama, Chainda, Kabwata, Matero and schools, clinics/ hospitals around Lusaka. The June Basic Needs Basket is approximately US $294 based upon an average middle exchange rate of 4630 Kwacha per US $ at the end of July.

Food basket intro


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