Group says continuous rise in cost of living worsening existing inequalities

The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has expressed concern over the continued escalation of cost of living in the country.

According to the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) monthly Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket for the month of July, the cost of living for a family of five, for the month of July 2023 in Lusaka, stood at K9, 301.18 in comparison to K9, 047.31 in January 2023.

CSPR Executive Director, Faides Tembatemba, said in a statement in Lusaka on Tuesday that the continued rise in the cost of living presented a significant challenge to individuals and families, impacting their financial well-being.

Tembatemba said the rapid rise in the cost of living had detrimental effects on the poor and vulnerable citizens in Zambia.

She said the situation had worsened existing inequalities and made it even more difficult for vulnerable populations to meet their basic needs and improve their quality of life.

“Due to the high levels of inequality, the government’s reported progressive track performance on economic management and social policy have had little to no impact on poverty and vulnerability on both rural and urban households,” Tembatemba said.

She said all the recorded successes are now drowning in the high levels of unemployment and poverty.

“What is also disheartening is that some senior government officials have continued to mock the poor whenever citizens and interest groups raise a red flag on how life is becoming expensive for both the middle working and non-working class in Zambia,” Tembatemba said.

She said it was high time that the government came up with a comprehensive and well-coordinated approach to reducing poverty in Zambia.

Tembatemba said this could be in form of a well designed and implemented multi-sectoral strategy or response to poverty before the situation gets out of hand.

“The government must not lose sight of the fact that poverty and vulnerability reduction in line with the 8th National Development Plan, is an important benchmark for economic transformation,” she said.

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