THE cost of living for an average Zimbabwean has shot up with the shopping basket for an average family of five increasing from $505 in December to $511 in January this year, statistics released by the Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency (Zimstat) have shown.
BUSINESS REPORTER
According to Zimstat, the total consumption poverty datum line for one person increased marginally by 1,19% to $102 with figures for an average five-member family pegged at $159.
Poverty datum line represents the cost of a given standard of living that must be attained if a person is deemed not to be poor. The food poverty datum line represents the minimum consumption necessary to ensure that each household member can consume a minimum food basket representing 2 100 calories.
“The poverty datum lines vary by province as prices vary from place to place. The total consumption poverty line for an average household in January ranged from $466 in Manicaland province to $638 in Matabeleland North Province. The variations in the value of the basket are explained by changes in average prices,” the statistical agency said.
