"Living in Survival Mode"

Musosa says the soaring living costs has expose disconnect between policy and people’s realities

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka, Zambia - (July 3, 2025) -The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has warned that Zambia’s rising cost of living is deepening poverty and undermining human dignity, as the government’s economic gains fail to translate into real relief for ordinary citizens.

At a press briefing in Lusaka, JCTR Social and Economic Development Programme Manager Edward Musosa said the Centre’s Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) for the first half of 2025 shows a continued rise in essential household costs, far outpacing average incomes.

In Lusaka, the cost of living for a family of five rose from ZMW 10,800.57 in January to ZMW 11,763.38 in June—an increase of ZMW 962.81. This far exceeds the average formal sector income of ZMW 7,731 and the national average of ZMW 5,369 recorded in April, leaving many households unable to meet basic needs.

The steepest increases were in non-food items, especially charcoal, which rose by ZMW 226.34 per 90kg bag from May to June. Food prices for items such as chicken and tomatoes also rose. 

Musosa attributed the charcoal hike to seasonal demand and reduced supply, but said it exposed the country’s overdependence on unsustainable energy sources.

Across 16 towns, Lusaka recorded the highest cost of living, while Mongu remained the lowest. Choma saw a sharp increase from ZMW 6,419.43 in January to ZMW 8,039.87 in May. Only Chipata recorded a notable decline.

Although ZamStats reported a decline in annual inflation from 16.7% in January to 14.1% in June, Musosa said this does not reflect the reality most Zambians face. Even with some food prices falling, the cost of charcoal rose by 5.37% nationally between May and June, reinforcing energy as a major burden for households.

“The inflation slowdown offers little relief when essentials like charcoal, housing, and transport remain unaffordable,” Musosa said.

“We must ask: Whose dignity is being upheld?”

JCTR called for urgent action in five areas: increasing agricultural productivity using climate-resilient practices, promoting affordable energy alternatives like LPG and solar, expanding social protection and adjusting wages, investing in affordable housing and services, and enforcing fair trade practices to support inclusive growth.

Musosa urged the government to ensure the 2026 National Budget prioritizes the poor and reflects justice and dignity.

“We are a nation that must care for one another,” he said. “It is time for a budget that protects lives, not just numbers.”