The cost of living for a family of 5 in Lusaka as measured by the Jesuit Center for Theological Reflection basic needs and nutrition basket has increased by K398.12 from K9,157.41 in December 2023 to K9,555.53 in January 2024.
JCTR Executive Director, Father Alex Muyebe says these significant increases were observed in both food prices and non-food categories, exacerbating the challenges faced by individuals and families, especially in the low- income category.
Father Muyebe says the upward movement in the basket is driven by commodities such as charcoal, whose price increased on account of seasonality, kapenta and cooking oil while over the last four months, there has been a sustained increase in prices of commodities like potatoes, chicken, and vegetables.
He says given the severity of this situation, JCTR urges government to take immediate and decisive steps such as ethical price control measures to prevent individuals from being exploited through frequent commodity price adjustments and supporting low income households to alleviate hardships they face through meaningful and robust social safety nets that ensure access to necessities, for every individual.
PHOENIX NEWS