adminAN average Zimbabwean family required at least $3 160 in October to meet its basic needs to the level for it not to be deemed poor, latest data released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) shows.
The rise represents a 4,2 percent jump from $2 192 in the previous month, reflecting a continued rise in prices of goods and services.
In August, the poverty datum line was $1 827.
“The TCPL (Total Consumption Poverty Line) for an average of five persons stood at $3 159,52 in October 2019,” said Zimstats.
“This means that an average household required that much to purchase both food and non-food items for them not to be deemed poor.”
The TCPL is commonly referred to as the poverty datum line (PDL).
While the quantities of commodities in the food basket is fixed, Zimstat said the PDL varied by province, with the lowest being $2 904 in Mashonaland Central, while Matabeleland North was the highest at $3 359. During the same month, an individual required $271 to meet the barest minimum of requirements, up from $177 the previous month.
The continued rise in the cost of living places the majority of workers below the PDL. — New Ziana.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter