31/03/2025
LUSAKA REMAINS MOST EXPENSIVE CITY TO LIVE IN DESPITE K52 DROP IN FOOD BASKET
By Cecilia Chiluba
Lusaka has remained the most expensive city to live in, despite recording a K52.25 reduction in the cost of living for a family of five for the month of March 2025.
According to latest data released by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), the cost of living for a family of five in Lusaka reduced from K11,599.12 in February 2025 to K11,546.87 in March 2025.3.27
This is compared to other towns like Chinsali and Mongu whose cost of living currently stand at K5,991.40 and K 6,127.18, respectively.
JCTR Executive Director, Fr. Daniel Mutale said in a statement that although the latest figure for Lusaka represents a marginal reduction of K52.25 compared to February 2025, it still shows that the overall cost of living remains high and is increasing beyond affordability of a dignified life.
Fr. Mutale has observed that the March 2025 Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) findings, when compared to the March 2024 basket, which stood at K10, 701.13, shows an increasing trend in the cost of living.
He notes that the total cost of essential non-food items in March 2025, rose to K6,451.27 from K6,321.87 in February 2025, largely due to an increase in the price of charcoal, which has now reached K562.50 per 90kg bag, compared to K497 in February.
He explains that these fluctuations in charcoal prices are primarily attributed to seasonal factors, such as the heavy rains that have impacted the production and transportation of this commodity.
Fr. Mutale states that the total cost of food items decreased modestly to K5,095.59 from K5,277.25. “
He says marginal price decreases were observed in commodities such as kapenta, which dropped to K399.64 from K491.26 for 1kg and vegetables, which reduced to K643.53 from K 701.81 for a 40kg bag.
He has further revealed that JCTR’s preliminary data from the Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket survey, conducted across 12 of the 16 towns, indicate that the average cost of living for the first quarter of 2025 stands at K8,024.44.
According to the preliminary data, Lusaka recorded the highest average cost of living at K11,315.52, while Chinsali had the lowest at K5,991.40, Choma K6,301.70, Kabwe K 8,723.86, Livingstone K9,514.32, Luanshya K8,175.90, Mansa K7,641.27, Mazabuka K7,757.05, Mongu K 6,127.18, Monze K6,701.98, Mpika K8,117.91 and Ndola K9,916.19.