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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 recognition 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. www.jctr.org.zm/bnb/BNBJuly10- Lusaka.pdf 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 Basic Needs Basket is accompanied by a Press Release every month, highlighting some of the policy and attitude issues that need to be addressed to improve the quality of live of Zambians.

The BNB an advocacy tool for the;
Church
a VEHICLE to communicate the key values of the Church's Social Teaching. PDF; 203KB
Community
a CHALLENGE to organize 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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www jctr.org.zm

Basic Needs Basket- BNB

 

2011 |January| February| March| April| May |June|July||August |September| October| November | December

2010|December|November|October|September|  August|July|June|May|April|March|February|January|  

2009 |December| November |October |August |July| June |May|April|March|February |January

2008 |December |November |October | September |August |July|June| May|April|March|February|January

2007 | December | November | October| September |August | July | June | May| April |March| February |January



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 advocacy efforts for rural situations.

Rural Basket
for 3 areas - Jan. 2008
Malama in Mambwe-- Saka in Masaiti -- Matushi in Mufumbwe Districts NEW

2009 Rural Baskets for:
Mufumbwe- Sept, Oct
Masaiti- Sept, Oct

November 2009 BNB for Other towns:
Monze

K1, 686,940

Ndola

K1, 685,214

Kitwe

K1, 962, 180

Mongu

K1, 480,411

Kabwe

K1, 527,020

Kasama K1, 424,270
Luanshya

K1, 407,490

Livingstone

K1, 870,611
2009 Lusaka BNB Figures
December K2, 276,730
November

K1, 447,130

October K2, 200,630
September K2, 260,680
August K2, 235,730
July K2, 226,930 
June K2, 168,730   
May K2, 240,280
April K2, 219,230
March K2, 213,930
February K2, 199, 880
January K2, 186,980

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 response in accordance to the immediate conditions of concern in the country. Read More...

2008 Lusaka BNB Figures
December
K1, 934,950
November
K1, 914,450
October
K1, 854,850
September
K1, 828,100
August
K1,834,100
July
K1,893,150
June
 
May
K1,931,350
April
K1,939,800
March
 
February
 
January
 


Many More...