COST OF LIVING GOES UP BY OVER K398.12

By By Daily News Reporter

The cost of living for a family of 5 in Lusaka has increased by K398.12 from K9,157.41 in December 2023 to K9,555.53 in January 2024 as measured by the Jesuit Center for Theological Reflection basic needs and nutrition basket.

And JCTR Executive Director, Father Alex Muyebe said that 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.

He also added that 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.

Further He noted that Lusaka's living wage is definitely on a runaway train, leaving many passengers behind as reflected by statistics in December last year where the survey indicated the cost of living as K9,157.41, but since last month, it has ballooned to K9,555.53.

"There has been a significant increase which was observed in both food prices and non-food categories," Said Muyebe.

This translates to a tightening grip on wallets and a growing struggle for low-income families, already teetering on the edge.

But the sting doesn't stop there. Over the past four months, potatoes, chicken, and vegetables have been steadily marching upwards, leaving many gasping for breath.

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.

"We call upon the government to take immediate action and Implement ethical price control measures to stop predatory price hikes and support low-income households," Muyebe said.