Cost of living still out of reach for many, JCTR warns in half-year Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket Report

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has warned that the cost of living in Zambia remained persistently high, with families struggling to meet basic needs despite signs of macroeconomic improvement.

In its half-year analysis of the Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) for Lusaka, the JCTR reported a K490.41 increase in the cost of living for the month of May 2025 alone.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka on Thursday, Edward Musosa, JCTR’s Social and Economic Development Programme Manager, said the latest findings — covering the period from January to June 2025 — highlighted the pressing need for robust economic interventions to ease the burden on vulnerable households.

“This situation profoundly impacts human dignity, which is the cornerstone of a just society,” Musosa stated.

The Centre attributed the rise in the cost of living primarily to the non-food component, which rose by K452.04, while the food basket experienced a more modest increase of K36.38.

Price hikes were noted for items such as chicken, kapenta, and tomatoes, while roller mealie meal, bananas, and some fruits saw price reductions.

The dramatic rise in charcoal prices was a major contributor to non-food inflation, driven by higher demand during the cold season and reduced supply as part-time producers, mostly farmers, shifted their focus to harvesting activities following a favourable farming season.

Lusaka Most Expensive, Mongu Least

Lusaka consistently recorded the highest BNNB cost, peaking at K11,599.12 in February 2025, underlining the capital’s long-standing struggle with high living costs.

In contrast, Mongu was the most affordable town, with the BNNB at K5,889.32 in January, while Chinsali remained around the K6,000 threshold, showing relative affordability in rural areas.

Across all monitored towns, the average BNNB rose from K8,075.76 in January to K8,634.00 in April, before slightly dropping to K8,506.00 in May.

Notable regional shifts included: Choma: from K6,419.43 in January to K8,039.87 in May, Chipata: from K8,926.15 in January to K7,771.71 in May, Solwezi: volatility from a dip in April to K11,019.89 in May, and Mpika and Luanshya: relatively stable costs.

In Lusaka, the estimated BNNB for a family of five rose by K962.81 from K10,800.57 in January to K11,763.38 in June 2025, surpassing the increase recorded during the same period in 2024, which was K886.92.

“This increase is substantial when compared to the average formal sector earnings of K7,731 and the national average income of K5,369 as of April 2025,” Musosa said.

He emphasized that the rising cost of living disproportionately affects low-income households, and called for urgent prioritization of policies that address the needs of the poor and vulnerable in light of Zambia’s growing population.

While acknowledging the positive impact of a bumper maize harvest and the Kwacha’s recent appreciation, Musosa cautioned that the benefits of these macroeconomic shifts have yet to be felt by the general public.

“Persistent high costs in non-food essentials such as housing and charcoal, along with continued supply chain inefficiencies, continue to exert substantial pressure on household budgets,” he said.

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