Martin Kadzere
A family of five in Zimbabwe now requires at least $68,4 million if it is not to be classified as poor. According to the latest statistics released by the Central Statistical Office (CSO) yesterday an average Zimbabwean family must spent $22 million on food only. This family will then require an additional $42,4 million for other expenditures which include accommodation, clothing, transport and health care, among others. The latest data reflects that most Zimbabweans are living in abject poverty. In other words, the breadwinner for an average family has to earn at par or in excess of $68,4 million per month, well above what the majority of Zimbabweans are currently earning. Most industrial and farm workers are earning less than $20 million per month, rendering them "very poor".
CSO deputy director Mr Cyril Parirenyatwa said on average, the Poverty Datum Line increased by 1 596 percent in the last 12 months from $4 million in June last year. The latest figures are marginally higher than the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe's June food basket for a family of six which now stands at $61 million. Unlike the PDL which takes into account both rural and urban households, the CCZ basket is confined to urban centres only. Poverty lines vary from province to province just as prices differ from supermarket to supermarket. According to CSO, June's PDL for all the country's 10 provinces ranged between $53,6 million and $77,1 million. With its PDL currently at $53,6 million, Manicaland is the cheapest of the country's 10 provinces. The PDL for Matabeleland North province was computed at $77,1 million, making it the most expensive.
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