Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Digital Repository
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July 2024 Cost of Living Statement
No full textThe Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) issued a statement on August 2, 2024, highlighting the rising cost of living in Zambia as reflected by the increase in the Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) to K10,575.93. Significant price hikes in essential commodities, such as roller mealie meal, kapenta, and vegetables, alongside a reduction in the price of charcoal, have placed a heavy burden on average and poor households. The statement attributes these increases to factors like the depreciation of the kwacha, adverse rainfall patterns, and seasonal food availability, which exacerbate food security issues and threaten human dignity by making basic necessities unaffordable. Despite government initiatives aimed at alleviating economic hardships, these efforts have not yielded significant improvements, prompting the JCTR to recommend stronger, targeted measures.
These include a clear government strategy focusing on income and cost-based approaches, enhancing food production through crop diversification and winter farming, and evaluating empowerment programs to ensure their effectiveness. The JCTR calls on the government to fulfil its responsibility in protecting citizens' rights and dignity by taking decisive action to curb the rising cost of living.Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF), Norwegian Church Aid and Danish Church Aid alliance (JCP Zambia
February 2024 BNNB Cost of Living Statement
No full textIn the face of a challenging economic landscape, the people of Zambia remain confronted with an urgent and compelling reality - the rise in the cost of living. Particularly those already grappling with financial vulnerability find themselves navigating increasingly difficult waters. Furthermore, resilient individuals, who have long relied on the promise of a fruitful farming season, find themselves confronted with the harsh consequences of ongoing poor rainfall. The circumstances have had an impact on the cultivation of seasonal crops, including pumpkins, vegetables, sweet potatoes, and groundnuts. These crops serve a dual purpose, functioning not only as a means of livelihood but also as an affordable alternative food source. In this critical juncture, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), makes an urgent call for solidarity that resonates as a beacon of hope and support for those navigating the tumultuous waters of economic adversity in Zambia.JCTR’s recent evaluations have revealed an alarming rise in living expenses concerning essential commodities with an upward adjustment of 7.9 percent in comparison to January, 2024. The cost of living for a family of five as measured by JCTR Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) in February 2024 in Lusaka now stands at K 10, 307.01. This marks a substantial rise of K751.48 from the previous month's figure of K9, 555.53. The average prices of various food items on the baskets increased, with the cost of vegetables moving to K689.97 per 40kg from K571.99 per 40 kg and other fruits increasing to K27.21 per kg from K12.72 per kg. Additionally, the price of rice increased to K160.07 per 5kg from K145.00 per 5kg. The food items continue to be influenced by seasonality of the products on one hand and on the other hand the scarcity of the commodities on the market of some products is due to their importation expenses which tend to be affected by the exchange rate.Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, Norwegian Church Aid and Danish Church Ai
December 2024 BNNB Statement
No full textThe Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) highlights the rising cost of living in Lusaka, as reflected in the December 2024 Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB), which increased to ZMW 10,833.47, up by ZMW 440.31 from November. Key contributors include price hikes in essential food items such as vegetables, kapenta, and mealie meal, alongside rising costs for non-food essentials like toilet paper and sanitary towels. These increases, driven by adverse weather conditions and high production costs, disproportionately affect low-income households, exacerbating challenges in accessing adequate nutrition.
JCTR calls for medium-term solutions, including strengthening food security through irrigation projects, reallocating community development funds to agricultural infrastructure, and expanding social protection programmes such as targeted subsidies and cash transfers. These interventions aim to stabilise food prices, address climate-related impacts, and provide relief to vulnerable households, ensuring a sustainable approach to mitigating the rising cost of living.The Norwegian Church Aid and Danish Church Aid alliance - Joint Country Programme (JCP) Zambi
August 2024 Cost of Living Statement
No full textThe Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) expresses concern over the rising costs of essential food items, which have increased the Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) in Lusaka to K10,669.33 in August 2024, marking a K93.40 increase from July. Key price hikes include kapenta and vegetables, posing a threat to national nutrition, especially for the vulnerable populations. The Centre highlights the need for consumer protection, sustainable farming practices, awareness of indigenous farming knowledge, and transparency in social assistance programmes to combat the adverse effects of these rising costs. JCTR remains committed to advocating for the availability of nutritious and affordable food through ongoing data collection and analysis.The Norwegian Church Aid and Danish Church Aid alliance - Joint Country Programme Zambi
Ensuring Equity in the K42 Billion Supplementary Budget No.1 of 2024
No full textThe Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) acknowledges the Zambian government's K42 billion supplementary budget to address drought impacts, highlighting allocations for social cash transfers, school feeding programs, "cash for work" initiatives, SME support, and food security measures. While commending these efforts, JCTR emphasizes the need for transparent, efficient distribution to prevent corruption and ensure timely assistance to vulnerable populations. The Centre also calls for sustainable agricultural practices and better water management, expresses concern over reduced funding for women and girls' education, and stresses the importance of prioritizing social spending amidst fiscal pressures. JCTR remains committed to collaboration for sustainable development and social justice
JCTR’s Expectations of the Thirteenth National Assembly on September 13th 2024
No full textThe Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) outlines key expectations for the President’s address to Parliament as Zambia faces significant socio-economic challenges in 2024. The economy has been strained by a severe drought, leading to a decline in agricultural output, slow recovery in copper production, and persistent power outages. While Zambia has secured a 14 billion in public debt, limiting resources for crucial social investments. JCTR urges the President to focus on debt management, economic diversification, poverty alleviation, and inflation control, with emphasis on improving agricultural productivity, energy access, and social protection programs. The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is seen as a vital tool for local development, with expectations of enhanced transparency and community participation. The address is expected to offer strategies for mitigating the drought’s impact and addressing the rising cost of living, particularly through renewable energy and social safety net programs, to aid vulnerable households
Youth Unemployment in Zambia: The Case of Lusaka Province
No full textWhile the problem of unemployment affects people of all age groups, the problem in Zambia affects the youths more than older age groups. Policies to reduce youth unemployment are required, not only to save youths from its negative effects, but to also enhance economic performance. For such policies to be effective, it is required that policy makers are armed with evidence regarding the various attributes of the unemployed youths. Such information could include demographic characteristics of the unemployed, their education status and skills, geographical distribution, trends in youth unemployment rates and other relevant characteristics. In this study, we analysed various aspects of youth unemployment in Zambia and focused on Lusaka provinc
August 2023 BNNB Analysis
No full textLusaka remains the town with the highest cost of living, clinching K9, 267.34 from the K9, 301.18 recorded in July (thus indicative of a meagre K33.84 drop). Second in line was Solwezi at K8, 455.83 rising by K68.24 from the K8, 387.59 in July. On the other hand, Kasama clinched a basket worth K4, 574.39, indicating only a K2.06 difference from the K4, 572.33 recorded in July – thus leaving the town on a continued streak for the lowest cost of living. As a point of reflection for the two years in government marked this August 2023, JCTR, like the rest of the citizenry, is still looking forward to the fulfilment of government’s commitment to “Restore Economic Growth and Safeguard Livelihoods” and particularly in relation to addressing the cost of livingScottish Catholic International Aid Fund and Norwegian Church-Aid & Danish Church-Aid Allianc
Monze January 2023 Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket Report
No full textThis survey was conducted on 25th January, by the Social and Economic Development Programme of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection. Average Prices were Calculated on the basis of prices gathered from retail outlets at at Main Market, Town market, Manungu, Site and Service Market as well as Schools, clinics/hospitals, and filling stations around Monze. The Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket is approximately US$293.39 based on the exchange rate of K18.95 other costs would include personal care, clothing, recreation, etc.Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund and Norwegian Church Aid-Danish Church Ai
2022 Satellite Home Survey
No full textThe Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection is renowned for tracking the cost of living in Zambia. One way through which the cost of living is monitored is through the Satellite Home Survey research. This survey is conducted bi annually in high density areas of Lusaka which are; Kanyama, Chainda, Kalingalinga, Garden, Kamanga and Ngombe compounds. The main objective of the survey is to highlight the living conditions experienced by households in these selected high density areas in Lusaka. Therefore, this report highlights the living conditions from the above mentioned high density areas between July and December, 2022.Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund and Norwegian Church Aid-Danish Church Ai