|
An estimated Basic Needs Basket for a family
of
Six in Lusaka
FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
2005 |
| (A)
Cost of Basic Food Items |
| Commodity |
|
Kwacha
|
|
Quantity
|
|
Final Total
(K) |
|
Mealie
Meal (Breakfast) |
|
42,400 |
|
3 x 25 Kg bags |
|
127,200 |
| Beans |
|
5,800 |
|
2
Kgs |
|
11,600 |
| Kapenta
(Siavonga) |
|
34,000 |
|
2
Kg |
|
68,000 |
| Dry
Fish |
|
46,700 |
|
1
Kg |
|
46,700 |
Meat
(Mixed Cut) |
|
12,300 |
|
4
Kgs |
|
49,200 |
Eggs |
|
5,200 |
|
2
Units |
|
10,400 |
Vegetable
(Greens) |
|
1,900 |
|
7.5
Kgs |
|
14,250 |
| Tomato |
|
2,500 |
|
4
Kgs |
|
10,000 |
| Onion |
|
2,600 |
|
4
Kgs |
|
10,400 |
| Milk
(Fresh) |
|
8,400 |
|
1
x 2
Litres |
|
8,400 |
Cooking Oil |
|
17,000 |
|
2
x
2 litres |
|
34,000 |
Bread |
|
2,300 |
|
1 loaf/day |
|
69,000 |
Sugar |
|
4,400 |
|
8Kgs |
|
35,200 |
Salt |
|
2,100 |
|
1
Kg |
|
2,100 |
Tea
(Leaves) |
|
9,700 |
|
1
X 500 g |
|
9,700 |
Sub
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
K
506,150 |
|
(B) Cost of Essential Non-Food
Items
| Commodity |
|
Kwacha |
|
Quantity
|
|
Final Total (K)
|
| Charcoal |
|
31,400
|
|
2
x 90Kg bags |
|
62,800
|
|
Soap (Lifebuoy) |
|
1,300
|
|
10
tablets |
|
13,000
|
|
Wash Soap
(Paste) |
|
2,700
|
|
4
x 400g |
|
10,800
|
| Jelly (e.g.
Vaseline) |
|
5,800 |
|
1
x 500ml |
|
5,800 |
| Electricity |
|
113,000 |
|
|
|
113,000 |
| Water
(Medium Density) |
|
34,000 |
|
|
|
34,000 |
| Housing
(Medium Density) |
|
600,000 |
|
|
|
600,000 |
| Sub
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
K
839,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total
for Basic Needs Basket |
|
|
|
K
1,345,550 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
1,361,770 |
1,358,990 |
1,353,790
|
1,348,860 |
|
|
|
(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
3,800 |
| Chelstone - Town |
K 4,400 |
| Matero - Town |
K 3,600 |
| |
| Fuel (Cost
at the pump) |
| Petrol (per litre) |
K 6,025 |
| Diesel (per litre) |
K 5,345 |
| Paraffin (per litre) |
K 3,965 |
|
"Of
late I've been incurring extra costs, especially on sources of energy for
cooking and lighting, due to ZESCO load-shedding.” –
man in Kanyama, 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) |
Pieceworker on a
farm
|
| 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 |
K3,000 to K15,000 per day |
|
|
|
|
|
This survey
was conducted on 25th and 26th November 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 $354 based upon an
average middle exchange rate of 3800 Kwacha per US $ at the end of
November.
|
