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| Home | Basic Needs Basket |
The Basic Needs Basket!
In the spirit of exposing the plight of the poor and raising their concerns, the JCTR produces the basic needs basket (BNB).
This is with the realisation that the average person is struggling to afford even the most basic of monthly commodities. The BNB exposes this household struggle to meet basic needs by comparing the findings with average take-home wages and general household incomes.
Today, the Basic Needs Basket is the most cited statistical tool for various purposes in Zambia. It gets regular and wide dissemination (published in newspapers, NGO newsletters and periodic reports, cited in scholarly studies, and circulated in government offices, international organizations, embassies, trade unions and businesses).
Some trade unions have brought the monthly food basket into their wage negotiations in arguing for increases to meet basic needs. It is a tool that receives wide attention and stirs alot of discussion.
To learn more be sure to read;The Complete History,
Methodology, Advocacy Strategy and Data for the
Basic
Needs Basket. PDF; 2.29 MB
The BNB an advocacy tool for the; |
Church
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a VEHICLE to communicate the key
values of the Church's Social Teaching. PDF; 203KB |
| Community |
a CHALLENGE to organise people to proactively improve their own
conditions before seeking assistance PDF; 359KB |
| Employers |
an INSPIRATION to use your position to take a hand in fighting poverty and
its causes in Zambia. PDF; 271KB |
| Government |
a POLICY GUIDE to establish a poverty datum
line, a just minimum wage, a fair tax code, strategic fuel reserves, loans for
entrepreneurship, subsidised utilities, etc.
PDF; 343KB |
| Households |
an INSPIRATION to fight poverty, for yourself,
family, relatives and fellow citizens,
and to strive for justice and dignity for all people. |
| NGOs |
an ILLUSTRATION of how external factors (e.g. debt and trade imbalances) hinder the
ability of average households to meet basic needs. PDF; 316KB |
| Trade Unions |
a TOOL to advocate for improved
conditions of service, conditions of work and
conditions of life. PDF; 328KB |
To Download entire brochures click PDF. |
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Recent BNB Figures
2008 | May|April|March|February|January
2007 | December | November | October|September |August | July | June|

Scope of the BNB
In recent years the basic Needs Basket has gone beyond Lusaka. The survey now includes Urban areas of Livingstone, Kabwe, Ndola, Kitwe, Luanshya, Mongu and kasama.
The Rural Basket was launched in November 2007. It is done in three selected areas - Malama in Mambwe, Saka in Masaiti and Matushi in Mufumbwe District. The Rural Basket is greatly aiding our adocacy efforts for rural situations.
April 2008 BNB Figures Expanded areas
Ndola - K1,459,840
Kitwe - K1,650,240
Livingstone - K1,621,381
Luanshya - K1,170,690
Kasama - K1,131,340
Rural Basket for 3 areas - Jan. 2008
Malama in Mambwe-- Saka in Masaiti -- Matushi in Mufumbwe Districts NEW!
The first basic needs survey was conducted in March 1991 but it was only until 1996 that it became a monthly feature of JCTR activities. Monthly research into the changes in cost of living helps the JCTR and many other stakeholders remain connected to the present living conditions of the people. This enables responce in accordance to the immidiate conditions of concern in the country. Read More...
2008 Lusaka BNB Figures |
December |
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November |
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October |
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September |
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August |
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July |
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June |
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May |
K1,931,350 |
April |
K1,939,800 |
March |
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February |
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January |
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2007 | December | November | October| September |August | July | June | May| April |March| February |January
Many More...
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