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

JUNE 2005

(A) Cost of Basic Food Items
Commodity

Kwacha

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Mealie Meal (Breakfast)

35,500

3 x 25 Kg bags

106,500

Beans

6,300

2 Kgs

12,600

Kapenta (Siavonga) 33,300 2 Kg 66,600
Dry Fish 50,600 1 Kg 50,600

Meat (Mixed Cut)

14,700 4 Kgs 58,800

Eggs

5,100 2 Units 10,200

Vegetable (Greens)

1,800

7.5 Kgs

13,500

Tomato 2,500 4 Kgs 10,000
Onion 2,600 4 Kgs 10,400
Milk (Fresh) 8,450 1 x 2 Litres 8,450

Cooking Oil

18,500

2 x 2 litres

37,000

Bread

2,400

1 loaf/day

72,000

Sugar

4,500

8Kgs

36,000

Salt

2,000

1 Kg

2,000

Tea (Leaves)

9,800

1 X 500 g

9,800

Sub Total

K 504,450

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

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Charcoal

34,500

 2 x 90Kg bags

69,000

Soap (Lifebuoy)

1,300

10 tablets

13,000

Wash Soap (Paste)

2,600

4 x 500g

10,400

Jelly (e.g. Vaseline) 5,800 1 x 500g 5,800
Electricity 113,000 113,000
Water (Medium Density) 34,000 34,000
Housing (Medium Density) 600,000 600,000
Sub Total  K 845,200
Total for Basic Needs Basket K 1,349,650

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

(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 5,165
Diesel (per litre) K 4,610
Paraffin (per litre) K 3,760
"I have been getting just K39,000 per week for the 3 years, 3 months that I have worked as a student (casual) worker at Shoprite". - Employee of Cairo Road Shoprite, 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)

Multi-National Supermarket (Casual to Contract Employee)

SALARY K407,000 to K913,000 K461,000 to K1,489,000 K120,000 to K715,000

K390,000 to K791,000

K375,000 to K679,000

K120,000 to K400,000

 

 

This survey was conducted on 28th - 29th June 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 $289 based upon an average middle exchange rate of 4670 Kwacha per US $ at the end of June.

Food basket intro


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