eBusiness Weekly
Business Writer
The country’s Poverty Datum Line has increased by 43,2 percent to $805,36 in January 2019 from $562,32 in January 2018, the latest figures from ZimStat has shown.
The latest ZimStat’s Poverty Datum Line (PDL) statistics have been updated to January 2019 and show that the average cost of basic requirements for a family of five has moved from RTGS$562,32 in January 2018 to RTGS$805,36 in January 2019.
This is a percentage increase of 43,2 percent. The consumer Price Index increased by 56,9 percent over the same period.
Comparing basic food costs over the same period, in January 2018, RTGS$184,11 met the needs of a family of five and this figure had risen to RTGS$274,25 by January this year.
This is an increase of 48,9 percent. The CPI table works on a wider cross-section of foods, the average costs of which has increased by 63,7 percent.
The PDL exercise collects figures from all ten provinces and these show that the most expensive area is Matabeleland North where a family requires RTGS$850,13 and the least expensive place to live is Bulawayo where a family RTGS$775,26.
