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

SEPTEMBER 2005

(A) Cost of Basic Food Items
Commodity

Kwacha

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Mealie Meal (Breakfast)

38,900

3 x 25 Kg bags

116,700

Beans

5,700

2 Kgs

11,400

Kapenta (Siavonga) 33,300 2 Kg 66,600
Dry Fish 45,000 1 Kg 45,000

Meat (Mixed Cut)

14,500 4 Kgs 58,000

Eggs

4,900 2 Units 9,800

Vegetable (Greens)

1,800

7.5 Kgs

13,500

Tomato 2,600 4 Kgs 10,400
Onion 2,800 4 Kgs 11,200
Milk (Fresh) 8,090 1 x 2 Litres 8,090

Cooking Oil

17,000

2 x 2 litres

34,000

Bread

2,500

1 loaf/day

75,000

Sugar

4,400

8Kgs

35,200

Salt

2,100

1 Kg

2,100

Tea (Leaves)

9,800

1 X 500 g

9,800

Sub Total

K 506,790

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

Quantity

Final Total (K)

Charcoal

35,200

 2 x 90Kg bags

70,400

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 847,000
Total for Basic Needs Basket K 1,353,790

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

(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

"Kusauka kuliko mu Zambia, ndipo Banthu Bambiri ndibosauka, na chakudya cimabasoba musiku.”  – man in Kaunda Square,  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 29th September 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 $308 based upon an average middle exchange rate of 4395 Kwacha per US $ at the end of September.

Food basket intro


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