Average Zimbabwean lived on ZWL$10.78/day in July

Published: 23 September 2019

Latest data from Zimstat shows that the average Zimbabwean lived on $10.78 per day while the average family needed $1,617 for enough subsistence to not be deemed poor. This means that Zimbabweans are now living below the World Banks updated poverty line of US$1.90 a day, at U$1.17 (based on the interbank rate at the end of July). Meanwhile The food poverty line was at $4.26 per person per day for July 2019, up 14% from July 2019 against Zimstats monthly CPI food basket inflation of 20% during the same period.

The total consumption poverty datum line (TCPDL) 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 (FPL) represents the minimum consumption needed to ensure that each household member can (if all expenditures were devoted to food) consume a minimum food basket representing 2 100 calories.

The survey covers the whole country, both in urban and rural areas. It is based on the Poverty, Income, Consumption and Expenditure Survey (PICES) which is done after every five years. For the statistical output, prices of the commodities are collected every month from 3,500 outlets countrywide then geometric means are computed for every item.

The household total consumption poverty datum line for July was at $1,617, up 15% from July. Zimstat uses an average household size of 5 persons to derive the figure. Regionally, Matebeleland North had the highest living costs per household for July in the country at $1,831, while Mash Central had the lowest at $1,369. On the 3 cities surveyed, Bulawayo had the highest living costs at $1,710 while Harare had the lowest at $1,568. During the month Masvingo experienced the highest inflation in living costs at 21%, while Harare was at the low end with 8%.

The household food PDL was at $640 for July, up from $560 in June. The regional FPDL rankings were consistent with the TCPDL rankings, with Matebeleland North the most expensive region in food costs at $737, while Mash Central was the lowest at $542. Masvingo was the most expensive city in foods costs at $627 while Harare was the lowest at $620. Masvingo suffered the highest increase in food cost inflation at 20%, while Harare was the lowest at 8%.
- finx

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