October 2023 Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket Statement: Government's Push to Address Immediate Cost of Living Needs Continues to Face Hurdles

The persistent issue of the cost of living in Zambia has been a recurring concern for the nation. Citizens have grappled with the challenges of affording basic necessities including mealie meal, and this long-standing problem continues to be a focal point of public discourse and policy considerations. 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 October in Lusaka stood at K9, 294.76. In comparison to the recorded figure of K9, 146.06 in September 2023, this signifies an increase of K148.70. Our research revealed an increase in food items such as roller mealie meal which increased from K217.14/25kg bag to K229/25kg bag; beans increased from K35.21/kg to K48.55/kg and kapenta increased from K234.50/kg to K297.10.