The cost of living for a family of five, as measured by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) for the month of September in Lusaka stood at K9,146.06.
In comparison to the recorded figure of K8, 850.38 around the same time period in September,
2022.
JCTR research observes that the average price of charcoal reduced from K455/90kg bag to K370/90kg bag.
The research also revealed an increase in the prices of food items such as roller mealie
meal which increased from K180.83/25kg bag to K217.14/25kg bag. Food items such as vegetables
also recorded an increase in prices from K413.88/40 kg to K453.37/40 kg.
Once more, the September basket underscores the impact of seasonal shifts, particularly as we
transition into the hot season, on the contents of both the food and non-food components within the
basket.
Comparing the BNNB charcoal price data from the past two years during the same time frame
provides valuable insights.
In 2022, there was a decrease in the price of a 90kg bag of charcoal, which went from K428/90kg in August to K406.67/90kg by the end of September. Similarly, in 2021, the
price of a 90kg bag of charcoal decreased from K369.20/90kg in August to K360/90kg by the close of September.
Another key item to high is that of vegetables (green leafy vegetables such as rape, amaranthus leaves also known locally as “bondwe” and pumpkin leaves) which recorded an increase of approximately K38.49. During the dry season, the cost of vegetables often experiences an upward adjustment in prices, and this phenomenon is not unique to Zambia but is observed in many regions around the world.
While the month on month overall basket under reflection observed a temporary reduction, it is essential to acknowledge that this reduction is far from sufficient to address the overarching issue.
Being that the cost of living, largely driven by the price of commodities, remains prohibitively high
for the majority of Zambians.
This persistent challenge continues to burden the Zambian citizens, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized segments of our population as evidenced by the 2022
Living Conditions Monitoring Survey.
Furthermore, it is crucial to consider the fundamental premise of the BNNB within a broader context.
The items included the JCTR BNNB basket, determined through extensive consultations, reflect both the realities and aspirations of a typical family striving to meet their basic requirements for a decent standard of living.
However, it’s essential to recognize that this basket represents the very minimum essentials, excluding additional daily expenses such as airtime and data bundles, transportation costs, and clothing.
This implies that the actual cost of living for a family of five in Lusaka may well exceed
by far the K9000 threshold.