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ZimStat sets monthly poverty line at US$50 per person
2 hrs ago |
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Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) has revealed that a single person now requires the equivalent of US$50.46 per month to meet basic living expenses, according to its latest data for March 2026.
The agency placed the Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL) at ZWG1,312.17, which translates to about US$50.46 using the official exchange rate. This means an individual needs roughly US$1.68 per day to cover both food and non-food essentials.
The TCPL represents the minimum cost of a combined basket of food and non-food items required for an individual to avoid being classified as poor. It is calculated as the sum of the Food Poverty Line (FPL) — based on a 2,100-calorie daily diet — and other essential expenses such as housing, clothing, and transport.
"This means that an individual required that much to purchase both non-food and food items as at March 2026 in order not to be deemed poor. The TCPL represents the minimum total income needed for an individual not to be deemed poor," ZimStat said.
The Food Poverty Line for March 2026 was pegged at ZWG896.49 per person, reflecting the minimum monthly cost of basic food requirements.
For a family of six, the data shows that monthly expenses amount to ZWG7,872, equivalent to approximately US$302.
The figures come at a time when many Zimbabweans continue to face economic challenges, with some questioning whether the official poverty thresholds accurately reflect the cost of living on the ground.
In comparison, neighbouring South Africa has an Upper-Bound Poverty Line — a similar measure of total consumption — set at R2,846 (around US$167) per person per month, highlighting a significant disparity in poverty benchmarks between the two countries.
The agency placed the Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL) at ZWG1,312.17, which translates to about US$50.46 using the official exchange rate. This means an individual needs roughly US$1.68 per day to cover both food and non-food essentials.
The TCPL represents the minimum cost of a combined basket of food and non-food items required for an individual to avoid being classified as poor. It is calculated as the sum of the Food Poverty Line (FPL) — based on a 2,100-calorie daily diet — and other essential expenses such as housing, clothing, and transport.
"This means that an individual required that much to purchase both non-food and food items as at March 2026 in order not to be deemed poor. The TCPL represents the minimum total income needed for an individual not to be deemed poor," ZimStat said.
For a family of six, the data shows that monthly expenses amount to ZWG7,872, equivalent to approximately US$302.
The figures come at a time when many Zimbabweans continue to face economic challenges, with some questioning whether the official poverty thresholds accurately reflect the cost of living on the ground.
In comparison, neighbouring South Africa has an Upper-Bound Poverty Line — a similar measure of total consumption — set at R2,846 (around US$167) per person per month, highlighting a significant disparity in poverty benchmarks between the two countries.
Source - NewZimbabwe
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