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Poverty Analysis
e-mail:[email protected]
Date: 17 May 2016
Poverty Datum Lines – April 2016
Main findings

The Food Poverty Line (FPL) for one person in April
2016 was $31.00.

The Food Poverty Line (FPL) for an average of five
persons per household in April 2016 was $153.00.

The Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL) for one
person stood at $96.00 in April 2016.

The Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL) for an
average of five persons per household stood at $481.00 in
April 2016.
The April 2016 FPL for an average of five persons in
Zimbabwe stood at $152.75. This represented a decrease of
0.3 percent when compared to the March 2016 figure of
$153.19.
The Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL) for Zimbabwe
stood at $96.12 per person in April 2016. This means that an
individual required that much to purchase both non-food and
food items as at April 2016 in order not to be deemed poor.
This represents a decrease of 0.29 percent when compared to
the March 2016 figure of $96.40.
The TCPL for an average of five persons stood at $480.61 in
April 2016. This means that an average household required
that much to purchase both food and non-food items for
them not to be deemed poor. This represents a decrease of
0.29 percent when compared to the March 2016 figure of
$482.00.
Concepts and definitions
The poverty datum line (PDL) 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 expenditure necessary to ensure
that each household member can (if all expenditures were
devoted to food) consume a minimum food basket
representing 2 100 calories.
The poverty datum lines vary by province as prices vary from
place to place. The TCPL for an average household in April
2016 ranged from $438.00 in Midlands Province to $571.00 in
Matabeleland North Province. The differences are explained
by differences in average prices in the provinces.
An individual whose total consumption expenditure does not
exceed the food poverty line is deemed to be very poor.
The total consumption poverty line (TCPL) which is naturally
higher than the FPL was derived using the data for 2011/12. It
was derived by computing the non-food consumption
expenditures of poor households whose consumption
expenditures were just equal to the FPL. The amount was
added to the FPL, if an individual does not consume more
than the TCPL, he or she is deemed poor. The analysis uses
the per capita consumption expenditure, and an average of
five persons is used based on the average size of households as
established by the 2002 and 2012 Population Census.
The quantities of commodities consumed at base year in the
minimum needs basket which is consistent with the
preferences of the poor individuals and households in
Zimbabwe are fixed. The variations in the value of the basket
are explained by changes in average prices.
NOTE: The relationship between the PDL and the minimum
wages is given below.
 The TCPL of $481.00 represents the total income needed
for five members of the household (with all their income
added together) as a minimum for them not to be deemed
poor. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is
considered the guru on labour and employment issues.
Its position on PDL in relation to wages and salaries is
shown in Appendix 1.
Detailed results
The national food poverty line (FPL) as at April 2016 stood at
$30.55. This means that the minimum needs basket cost that
much per person in April 2016. This represents a decrease of
0.3 percent over the March 2016 figure of $30.64.
1
Food Poverty Datum Lines per person per month
Bulawayo
Manicaland Mash Central
Mash East
Mash West
Mat North
Mat South
Midlands
Masvingo
Harare
Zimbabwe
Percentage (%)
Monthly Annual
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
27.53
30.62
29.98
31.42
31.65
31.71
31.17
25.77
27.35
28.19
31.90
28.95
28.93
28.45
25.28
27.22
28.44
31.54
30.00
30.17
30.11
27.36
28.60
28.78
32.02
28.48
29.30
29.40
26.43
28.49
28.99
33.53
31.11
31.64
30.72
30.50
31.83
32.42
37.63
39.86
39.27
37.64
29.16
30.64
32.15
37.15
37.12
36.53
35.26
27.01
28.74
29.16
31.62
29.66
28.84
28.08
28.01
29.66
30.14
33.06
31.21
30.14
29.79
27.27
28.89
29.45
33.34
32.66
30.25
32.29
27.39
29.17
29.74
33.25
31.90
31.52
31.16
2011
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
30.63
30.31
29.26
29.99
29.43
28.94
29.24
33.07
29.04
29.79
30.15
30.18
28.21
29.92
28.69
28.40
28.52
26.66
28.56
31.35
27.04
27.34
27.33
26.64
29.55
29.48
29.09
29.21
29.69
27.38
27.62
32.23
27.58
26.79
26.03
27.23
29.72
30.17
29.59
29.38
29.45
26.58
27.53
31.29
28.29
28.06
27.88
27.76
29.49
30.12
29.80
29.56
30.22
26.98
27.99
30.90
27.80
27.54
28.65
29.07
34.19
35.63
33.70
33.11
34.26
30.72
30.26
34.16
31.87
30.37
30.48
30.90
33.04
31.79
32.02
32.13
32.50
33.58
31.36
34.31
31.14
31.47
30.97
31.63
29.94
30.82
29.78
30.06
29.88
27.57
27.70
32.81
28.08
27.72
27.81
28.19
30.68
30.79
30.27
31.53
32.41
30.42
30.83
32.01
29.08
27.63
28.73
27.76
31.00
30.77
30.26
29.25
28.91
28.19
28.38
32.93
28.32
28.52
28.96
28.33
30.60
30.94
30.21
30.23
30.48
28.63
28.92
32.49
28.79
28.49
28.66
28.73
7.3
1.1
-2.3
0.1
0.8
-6.1
1.0
12.3
-11.4
-1.0
0.6
0.2
13.9
10.5
7.5
0.2
-1.3
-9.2
-6.0
11.3
-0.7
0.7
-1.5
0.8
2012
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
29.63
31.63
29.84
31.42
31.15
29.83
28.57
29.07
29.39
37.39
38.68
32.09
27.04
27.66
27.92
36.34
34.04
33.46
32.75
33.38
36.91
32.26
35.01
28.16
28.23
28.75
29.21
34.35
33.63
32.35
32.20
32.14
33.16
32.51
33.08
29.65
28.82
29.25
30.04
35.12
35.52
31.58
32.03
33.67
35.37
32.94
34.01
27.20
29.66
29.88
30.82
38.08
37.95
35.84
31.70
33.94
34.97
34.79
35.40
30.78
33.18
33.44
30.03
39.96
38.91
38.55
38.03
37.38
39.84
39.29
38.95
46.56
32.63
32.50
32.00
35.48
39.56
39.40
38.30
37.07
38.90
41.19
40.82
39.62
28.14
28.81
29.80
30.57
31.32
34.42
32.48
31.91
31.70
37.08
35.58
29.01
29.58
30.38
32.16
33.52
33.34
32.35
34.22
34.42
33.77
36.21
39.26
28.80
28.57
28.91
29.35
31.42
35.62
34.31
33.29
34.76
36.73
37.94
38.97
32.26
29.49
30.07
30.09
34.51
34.99
34.09
33.24
33.69
34.94
36.05
36.89
31.97
2.7
2.0
0.1
14.7
1.4
-2.6
-2.5
1.4
3.7
3.2
-2.8
-13.3
-3.6
-2.8
-0.4
14.1
14.8
19.1
15.0
3.7
21.4
26.6
28.7
11.3
2013
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May *
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
31.49
31.77
32.29
32.12
31.86
32.00
31.64
31.03
31.14
31.31
31.49
31.65
28.54
28.95
29.84
29.76
29.52
29.27
29.08
28.79
28.74
28.14
28.32
28.50
31.11
31.17
30.71
30.34
30.35
30.18
29.78
28.86
29.43
28.76
29.56
29.89
27.67
29.17
28.90
27.83
27.79
27.90
29.19
28.60
28.50
28.56
28.56
29.16
30.35
31.51
32.07
32.00
31.53
31.15
31.93
31.04
30.47
30.33
30.47
30.58
37.35
42.51
41.69
40.19
39.18
41.90
38.69
39.74
38.53
39.56
39.62
39.62
38.29
39.23
39.95
39.16
37.47
36.95
35.33
36.21
36.00
35.98
35.63
35.64
30.34
29.58
30.56
30.17
30.51
29.96
29.36
29.27
28.61
29.22
29.14
29.29
32.56
32.72
32.27
31.95
31.54
31.44
31.02
30.24
30.24
30.42
30.06
30.29
32.55
35.62
35.45
33.15
32.64
32.72
32.04
32.23
31.74
31.68
31.42
31.03
31.87
32.96
33.14
32.46
32.08
32.13
31.68
31.43
31.19
31.22
31.26
31.41
-0.3
3.4
0.5
-2.0
6.8
0.2
-1.4
-0.8
-0.8
0.1
0.1
0.5
8.1
9.6
10.1
-5.9
-0.9
1.9
3.0
0.8
-3.5
-6.4
-8.4
6.2
2014
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
31.91
31.85
31.89
31.84
31.81
31.79
31.71
31.48
31.62
31.40
31.80
31.42
29.26
29.21
28.97
29.13
29.64
29.67
29.40
28.87
28.67
28.28
27.92
28.19
29.64
29.59
29.80
30.00
30.69
30.66
30.39
30.54
30.20
30.04
30.27
30.29
29.80
29.74
29.15
28.85
28.90
30.08
29.73
29.34
29.16
29.15
28.79
28.91
31.78
31.72
31.71
31.46
31.81
33.38
32.58
31.47
31.16
31.15
30.64
30.90
39.99
39.92
40.86
40.72
40.53
39.53
38.84
38.34
38.14
38.59
38.07
37.92
36.23
36.17
35.87
36.46
36.07
37.54
37.04
37.23
36.59
36.32
36.83
36.01
29.65
29.60
29.25
29.23
29.40
29.43
28.81
28.41
28.21
27.83
28.06
28.30
31.28
31.22
30.61
30.30
30.46
30.00
30.03
29.76
29.70
29.47
29.36
29.63
30.91
30.85
30.45
30.16
30.37
30.49
30.68
30.30
29.95
29.56
29.83
29.49
31.89
31.83
31.63
31.56
31.70
31.93
31.77
31.42
31.19
31.01
30.99
30.96
1.5
-0.2
-0.6
-0.2
0.4
0.7
-0.5
-1.1
-0.7
-0.6
-0.1
-0.1
8.2
4.4
3.2
5.1
-1.2
-0.6
0.3
0.0
0.0
-0.7
-0.9
-1.4
2015
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
31.61
31.60
31.37
31.78
31.53
31.33
31.42
30.94
31.13
30.54
30.67
30.19
28.78
28.76
28.86
28.95
28.88
28.88
28.27
28.01
28.04
27.88
27.87
28.20
30.20
30.36
30.32
30.45
30.57
31.01
30.07
29.92
30.02
29.56
29.49
29.42
29.39
29.29
29.57
30.18
29.95
29.84
29.71
29.53
29.34
28.77
28.70
28.52
31.11
31.06
31.66
30.97
31.30
30.80
31.51
30.35
29.81
29.53
30.14
30.52
38.46
37.61
39.08
39.13
38.14
37.81
37.57
37.07
36.78
36.99
36.66
36.44
36.78
36.25
36.94
36.71
36.39
35.57
34.87
34.73
34.13
33.63
34.02
33.35
28.65
28.84
28.74
28.53
28.25
28.07
27.76
27.44
27.27
27.28
27.98
28.23
29.90
29.75
28.91
28.75
29.88
30.72
30.49
30.21
30.00
29.77
29.56
29.59
30.34
32.42
31.51
31.16
31.20
31.04
33.69
33.53
33.33
33.21
33.21
33.09
31.37
31.47
31.53
31.50
31.47
31.39
31.41
31.04
30.86
30.59
30.71
30.65
1.3
0.3
0.2
-0.1
-0.1
-0.3
0.1
-1.2
-0.6
-0.9
0.4
-0.2
-1.6
-1.2
-0.3
-0.2
-0.7
-1.7
-1.1
-1.2
-1.0
-1.4
-0.9
-1.0
2016
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
29.43
30.08
29.89
29.46
28.40
28.22
28.41
28.37
29.32
29.26
29.22
29.14
28.58
28.75
28.55
28.48
31.08
30.57
30.48
30.37
36.98
37.02
37.27
37.22
33.79
33.58
33.41
33.62
28.23
28.31
27.86
27.70
29.05
28.88
28.93
28.89
33.46
33.36
33.63
33.55
30.71
30.68
30.64
30.55
0.2
-0.1
-0.2
-0.3
-2.1
-2.5
-2.8
-3.0
* new basket as from May 2013 onwards, see appendix 2 for details
2
6.5
1.9
11.8
-4.1
-1.2
-1.1
Food Poverty Datum Lines for 5 persons per month
Bulawayo
Manicaland Mash Central
Mash East
Mash West
Mat North
Mat South
Midlands
Masvingo
Harare
Zimbabwe
Percentage (%)
Monthly Annual
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
137.65
153.11
149.92
157.09
158.24
158.55
155.86
128.87
136.75
140.96
159.49
144.75
144.64
142.23
126.40
136.10
142.22
157.70
150.01
150.87
150.56
136.79
142.98
143.89
160.08
142.41
146.48
146.98
132.13
142.45
144.93
167.64
155.56
158.20
153.61
152.52
159.15
162.10
188.14
199.28
196.37
188.18
145.80
153.19
160.73
185.74
185.61
182.63
176.29
135.07
143.71
145.78
158.12
148.31
144.21
140.41
140.06
148.28
150.70
165.28
156.07
150.72
148.95
136.34
144.47
147.26
169.59
163.30
151.25
161.45
136.97
145.85
148.69
166.55
159.48
157.60
155.82
2011
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
153.15
151.56
146.30
149.97
147.15
144.68
146.18
165.35
145.19
148.93
150.76
150.88
141.06
149.62
143.45
142.01
142.58
133.32
142.81
156.74
135.20
136.69
136.65
133.18
147.73
147.38
145.45
146.07
148.45
136.89
138.10
161.15
137.88
133.93
130.13
136.16
148.62
150.83
147.94
146.90
147.24
132.90
137.63
156.45
141.43
140.28
139.38
138.78
147.45
150.58
149.02
147.78
151.08
134.89
139.96
154.52
139.01
137.69
143.26
145.33
170.94
178.13
168.51
165.53
171.32
153.62
151.31
170.79
159.37
151.84
152.40
154.51
165.20
158.94
160.10
160.65
162.49
167.88
156.80
171.54
155.69
157.34
154.85
158.15
149.68
154.08
148.90
150.31
149.39
137.87
138.50
164.06
140.40
138.58
139.07
140.97
153.38
153.93
151.33
157.65
162.06
152.09
154.15
160.03
145.39
138.17
143.67
138.81
154.98
153.83
151.28
146.26
144.53
140.97
141.88
164.63
141.58
142.58
144.82
141.65
152.99
154.68
151.06
151.15
152.38
143.13
144.58
162.43
143.93
142.43
143.32
143.63
7.3
1.1
-2.3
0.1
0.8
-6.1
1.0
12.3
-11.4
-1.0
0.6
0.2
13.9
10.5
7.5
0.2
-1.3
-9.2
-6.0
11.3
-0.7
0.7
-1.5
0.8
2012
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
148.13
158.14
149.22
157.09
155.76
149.15
142.87
145.33
146.95
186.96
193.40
160.45
135.21
138.30
139.60
181.71
170.20
167.32
163.74
166.89
184.55
161.32
175.03
140.79
141.13
143.77
146.03
171.75
168.17
161.76
161.00
160.71
165.79
162.54
165.38
148.24
144.11
146.27
150.22
175.58
177.60
157.90
160.17
168.35
176.85
164.70
170.06
135.99
148.29
149.42
154.11
190.38
189.74
179.18
158.50
169.72
174.83
173.95
177.00
153.89
165.90
167.18
150.17
199.78
194.54
192.75
190.17
186.88
199.21
196.46
194.73
232.79
163.17
162.49
160.01
177.42
197.79
196.98
191.48
185.37
194.48
205.97
204.09
198.09
140.68
144.05
149.00
152.83
156.61
172.11
162.38
159.55
158.52
185.39
177.89
145.03
147.91
151.92
160.82
167.59
166.69
161.74
171.12
172.12
168.86
181.06
196.29
144.01
142.83
144.56
146.75
193.10
178.10
171.56
166.43
173.79
183.64
189.71
194.84
161.29
147.46
150.36
150.47
176.13
174.96
170.46
166.22
168.47
174.70
180.24
184.44
159.84
2.7
2.0
0.1
17.1
-0.7
-2.6
-2.5
1.4
3.7
3.2
2.3
-13.3
-3.6
-2.8
-0.4
16.5
14.8
19.1
15.0
3.7
21.4
26.6
28.7
11.3
2013
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May *
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
157.47
158.87
161.47
160.61
159.31
160.01
158.22
155.16
155.68
156.53
157.47
158.25
142.71
144.77
149.22
148.82
147.59
146.33
145.39
143.95
143.70
140.72
141.58
142.49
155.57
155.86
153.57
151.71
151.73
150.90
148.91
144.28
147.14
143.78
147.78
149.47
138.34
145.83
144.49
139.15
138.97
139.50
145.97
143.02
142.50
142.79
142.82
145.81
151.74
157.54
160.33
160.01
157.67
155.73
159.66
155.20
152.36
151.66
152.34
152.90
186.77
212.54
208.46
200.96
195.89
209.49
193.45
198.70
192.64
197.80
198.09
198.11
191.45
196.17
199.76
195.80
187.37
184.73
176.64
181.07
180.01
179.89
178.15
178.22
151.71
147.92
152.79
150.86
152.57
149.81
146.79
146.36
143.06
146.08
145.71
146.47
162.80
163.61
161.33
159.74
157.71
157.18
155.09
151.22
151.19
152.10
150.31
151.43
162.77
178.09
177.26
165.76
163.18
163.61
160.20
161.13
158.72
158.38
157.09
155.17
159.34
164.82
165.69
162.31
160.39
160.64
158.41
157.14
155.95
156.10
156.30
157.06
-0.3
3.4
0.5
-2.0
6.8
0.2
-1.4
-0.8
-0.8
0.1
0.1
0.5
8.1
9.6
10.1
-7.8
-0.9
1.9
3.0
0.8
-3.5
-6.4
-8.4
6.2
2014
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
159.55
159.26
159.45
159.20
159.04
158.96
158.53
157.41
158.10
156.98
159.00
157.12
146.29
146.03
144.84
145.65
148.20
148.36
147.00
144.37
143.35
141.42
139.58
140.93
148.20
147.93
149.01
149.99
153.45
153.29
151.96
152.72
151.02
150.22
151.35
151.43
148.98
148.71
145.75
144.24
144.51
150.39
148.65
146.69
145.78
145.74
143.95
144.57
158.89
158.61
158.57
157.32
159.03
166.88
162.91
157.35
155.78
155.76
153.20
154.52
199.95
199.59
204.29
203.58
202.66
197.64
194.22
191.69
190.71
192.96
190.33
189.61
181.16
180.84
179.36
182.30
180.33
187.69
185.20
186.17
182.97
181.59
184.14
180.05
148.26
147.99
146.24
146.17
147.02
147.17
144.06
142.05
141.04
139.17
140.28
141.51
156.38
156.10
153.07
151.48
152.30
149.99
150.15
148.78
148.48
147.35
146.80
148.15
154.55
154.27
152.26
150.82
151.86
152.43
153.41
151.51
149.73
147.81
149.13
147.45
159.46
159.17
158.17
157.78
158.48
159.64
158.86
157.09
155.94
155.07
154.94
154.81
1.5
-0.2
-0.6
-0.2
0.4
0.7
-0.5
-1.1
-0.7
-0.6
-0.1
-0.1
8.2
4.4
3.2
5.1
-1.2
-0.6
0.3
0.0
0.0
-0.7
-0.9
-1.4
2015
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
158.04
157.98
156.83
158.92
157.66
156.67
157.08
154.71
155.63
152.72
153.35
150.95
143.92
143.79
144.30
144.75
144.41
144.40
141.34
140.04
140.20
139.41
139.35
141.00
150.98
151.82
151.61
152.26
152.84
155.03
150.35
149.58
150.08
147.78
147.47
147.10
146.95
146.45
147.87
150.92
149.77
149.21
148.56
147.63
146.68
143.86
143.49
142.62
155.55
155.31
158.28
154.85
156.52
153.98
157.53
151.75
149.05
147.63
150.72
152.61
192.32
188.07
195.42
195.64
190.68
189.04
187.87
185.35
183.91
184.95
183.30
182.20
183.88
181.26
184.70
183.55
181.94
177.86
174.35
173.66
170.65
168.13
170.08
166.77
143.24
144.19
143.72
142.66
141.25
140.34
138.79
137.20
136.36
136.41
139.90
141.14
149.52
148.74
144.57
143.73
149.42
153.58
152.43
151.06
149.98
148.85
147.82
147.97
151.71
162.09
157.54
155.78
156.01
155.18
168.46
167.64
166.67
166.03
166.04
165.43
156.86
157.33
157.66
157.49
157.37
156.94
157.03
155.22
154.32
152.95
153.57
153.27
1.3
0.3
0.2
-0.1
-0.1
-0.3
0.1
-1.2
-0.6
-0.9
0.4
-0.2
-1.6
-1.2
-0.3
-0.2
-0.7
-1.7
-1.1
-1.2
-1.0
-1.4
-0.9
-1.0
2016
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
147.15
150.38
149.44
147.30
142.01
141.12
142.03
141.84
146.59
146.30
146.09
145.72
142.91
143.75
142.76
142.38
155.38
152.83
152.42
151.85
184.91
185.08
186.35
186.10
168.96
167.91
167.04
168.12
141.14
141.53
139.29
138.51
145.24
144.38
144.66
144.47
167.32
166.82
168.13
167.77
153.56
153.42
153.19
152.75
0.2
-0.1
-0.2
-0.3
-2.1
-2.5
-2.8
-3.0
* new basket as from May 2013 onward, see appendix 2 for details
3
6.5
1.9
12.0
-4.2
-1.2
-1.1
Total Consumption Poverty Lines per person per month
Bulawayo
Manicaland Mash Central
Mash East
Mash West
Mat North
Mat South
Midlands
Masvingo
Harare
Zimbabwe
Percentage (%)
Monthly Annual
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
91.17
100.56
98.04
101.83
101.22
101.67
100.45
85.36
89.81
92.18
103.38
91.40
92.85
88.97
83.72
89.39
93.00
102.23
94.71
97.00
97.14
90.60
93.90
94.10
103.77
89.92
94.05
92.34
87.52
93.56
94.78
108.66
98.21
101.61
96.47
101.03
104.52
106.01
121.95
125.74
126.08
117.28
96.57
100.61
105.11
120.39
117.13
117.79
113.58
89.47
94.38
95.34
102.50
93.64
92.58
88.78
92.77
97.39
98.55
107.13
98.53
96.63
96.11
90.31
94.89
96.30
109.93
103.08
97.36
95.38
90.73
95.79
97.24
107.96
100.81
101.25
98.25
2011
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
100.06
99.14
95.81
97.85
96.15
94.66
95.44
108.12
95.27
97.76
98.96
97.98
92.16
97.87
93.95
92.66
93.16
87.22
93.24
102.49
88.71
89.73
89.70
86.48
96.52
96.41
95.26
95.31
97.00
89.56
90.16
105.37
90.47
87.91
85.42
88.42
97.10
98.66
96.89
95.85
96.21
86.95
89.85
102.30
92.80
92.09
91.50
90.12
96.34
98.50
97.60
96.42
98.72
88.25
91.38
101.03
91.21
90.39
94.04
94.37
111.68
116.52
110.36
108.00
111.94
100.50
98.79
111.68
104.57
99.67
100.04
100.34
107.94
103.97
104.85
104.82
106.17
109.84
102.37
112.16
102.15
103.28
101.65
102.70
97.79
100.78
97.52
98.07
97.62
90.20
90.43
107.27
92.12
90.97
91.29
91.54
100.21
100.69
99.11
102.86
105.89
99.51
100.64
104.64
95.40
90.70
94.31
90.14
101.26
100.62
99.08
95.43
94.44
92.23
92.63
107.65
92.90
93.59
95.06
91.98
99.96
101.18
98.93
98.62
99.57
93.64
94.39
106.21
94.44
93.49
94.08
93.27
7.06
1.22
-2.22
-0.32
0.96
-5.95
0.80
12.52
-11.08
-1.00
0.62
-0.85
10.4
8.2
6.8
-0.1
-1.1
-9.3
-6.3
11.3
-0.4
1.2
-0.2
-0.1
2012
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
96.24
102.75
96.60
101.81
101.24
96.87
93.00
94.55
95.06
120.69
124.79
103.48
87.84
89.86
90.37
117.75
110.62
108.66
106.59
108.57
119.37
104.16
112.95
90.81
91.69
93.42
94.53
111.30
109.30
105.06
104.80
104.55
107.24
104.94
106.72
95.61
93.63
95.04
97.24
113.79
115.43
102.55
104.26
109.52
114.39
106.34
109.75
87.72
96.34
97.09
99.76
123.37
123.32
116.36
103.18
110.41
113.08
112.30
114.22
99.25
107.78
108.63
97.21
129.46
126.44
125.17
123.78
121.57
128.84
126.82
125.65
150.09
106.01
105.58
103.58
114.97
128.55
127.92
124.64
120.58
125.78
132.95
131.69
127.73
91.40
93.59
96.45
99.05
101.79
111.77
105.70
103.80
102.54
119.68
114.79
93.54
96.09
98.71
104.11
108.61
108.34
105.04
111.39
111.97
109.22
116.89
126.66
92.89
92.79
93.93
95.00
125.13
115.76
111.42
108.34
113.05
118.78
122.47
125.73
104.02
95.80
97.70
97.41
114.14
113.72
110.70
108.20
109.59
113.00
116.36
119.02
103.09
2.71
1.98
-0.30
17.18
-0.37
-2.65
-2.26
1.29
3.10
2.98
2.28
-13.38
-4.2
-3.4
-1.5
15.7
14.2
18.2
14.6
3.2
19.6
24.5
26.5
10.5
2013
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May *
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
98.20
98.85
100.63
100.45
99.70
100.34
99.95
98.73
116.30
99.77
101.04
101.86
89.03
90.10
93.02
93.10
92.40
91.78
91.86
91.61
91.66
89.71
90.86
91.73
97.02
96.98
95.72
94.90
94.97
94.64
94.08
91.82
93.85
91.66
94.83
96.22
86.31
90.76
90.08
87.06
87.01
87.51
92.23
91.02
90.90
91.03
91.65
93.86
94.64
98.03
99.92
100.07
98.68
97.66
100.85
98.75
97.17
96.67
97.75
98.42
116.41
132.13
129.82
125.60
122.53
131.27
122.15
126.38
122.81
126.03
127.07
127.49
119.32
121.97
124.41
122.38
117.21
115.79
111.56
115.18
114.77
114.63
114.29
114.70
94.62
92.06
95.24
94.36
95.50
93.96
92.74
93.14
91.25
93.12
93.51
94.29
101.51
101.79
100.54
99.90
98.71
98.57
97.98
96.23
96.43
96.95
96.45
97.48
101.49
110.76
110.44
103.65
102.12
102.58
101.20
102.52
101.22
100.95
100.80
99.88
99.36
102.54
103.25
101.51
100.38
100.73
100.07
99.99
101.04
99.50
100.29
101.09
-3.61
3.20
0.69
-1.69
-7.49
0.35
-0.66
-0.08
1.06
-1.53
0.80
0.80
3.7
5.0
6.0
-11.1
-4.6
-1.6
0.0
-1.4
-3.3
-7.6
-8.9
6.0
2014
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
102.28
102.10
102.22
102.05
101.95
101.90
101.62
100.90
101.15
100.43
101.72
101.75
93.79
93.62
92.86
93.38
95.02
95.12
94.24
92.56
92.45
91.21
90.02
90.05
95.01
94.84
95.53
96.16
98.38
98.28
97.43
97.91
97.67
97.15
97.88
97.91
95.51
95.34
93.44
92.47
92.65
96.41
95.30
94.04
93.96
93.94
92.79
92.81
101.86
101.68
101.65
100.85
101.95
106.98
104.44
100.87
100.66
100.65
99.00
99.02
128.14
127.91
130.92
130.47
129.88
126.66
124.47
122.85
122.77
124.23
122.53
122.57
116.11
115.90
114.96
116.84
115.58
120.30
118.70
119.32
118.80
117.91
119.56
119.59
95.05
94.88
93.75
93.71
94.25
94.35
92.36
91.07
90.96
89.76
90.47
90.50
100.25
100.07
98.13
97.11
97.63
96.15
96.25
95.37
95.42
94.69
94.34
94.36
99.07
98.90
97.61
96.68
97.35
97.72
98.35
97.13
96.88
95.63
96.49
96.52
102.22
102.04
101.39
101.14
101.59
102.34
101.84
100.70
100.58
100.02
99.93
99.96
1.11
-0.18
-0.63
-0.25
0.45
0.73
-0.49
-1.11
-0.12
-0.56
-0.08
0.03
11.2
7.6
6.2
7.7
1.2
1.6
1.8
0.7
-0.5
0.5
-0.4
-1.1
2015
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
101.45
101.41
101.16
102.51
101.69
101.06
101.32
99.79
100.39
98.51
98.91
97.37
90.22
90.14
90.22
90.51
90.30
90.29
88.37
87.57
87.66
87.17
87.13
88.16
97.35
97.89
97.83
98.25
98.62
100.04
97.02
96.52
96.85
95.36
95.16
94.93
92.85
92.53
92.80
94.71
93.99
93.64
93.23
92.64
92.05
90.28
90.05
89.50
98.76
98.60
99.18
97.03
98.08
96.49
98.71
95.09
93.40
92.50
94.44
95.63
122.52
119.82
121.26
121.40
118.32
117.30
116.58
115.01
114.12
114.77
113.74
113.06
119.78
118.08
118.74
118.00
116.96
114.34
112.08
111.64
109.71
108.09
109.34
107.21
90.42
91.02
90.91
90.23
89.34
88.76
87.78
86.78
86.25
86.28
88.49
89.27
94.19
93.70
91.07
90.54
94.13
100.81
100.05
99.15
98.44
97.70
97.02
97.13
96.91
95.08
92.41
91.38
91.51
91.03
98.82
98.34
97.77
97.39
97.40
97.04
99.90
99.35
99.01
98.91
98.83
98.96
99.02
97.88
97.31
96.45
96.84
96.65
-0.07
-0.55
-0.34
-0.10
-0.08
0.13
0.06
-1.15
-0.58
-0.89
0.41
-0.20
-2.3
-2.6
-2.4
-2.2
-2.7
-3.3
-2.8
-2.8
-3.2
-3.6
-3.1
-3.3
2016
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
96.52
98.64
98.03
96.62
88.29
87.73
88.30
88.18
94.74
94.55
94.42
94.18
89.48
90.01
89.39
89.15
96.10
94.52
94.27
93.92
113.50
113.60
114.39
114.23
107.55
106.89
106.34
107.02
89.19
89.44
88.02
87.53
96.49
95.92
96.11
95.98
97.33
97.05
97.80
97.59
96.63
96.55
96.40
96.12
-0.02
-0.09
-0.15
-0.29
-3.3
-2.8
-2.6
-2.8
* new basket as from May 2013 onwards, see appendix 2 for details
4
5.6
1.5
11.0
-6.6
0.4
-3.0
Total Consumption Poverty Lines for 5 persons per month
Bulawayo
Manicaland Mash Central
Mash East
Mash West
Mat North
Mat South
Midlands
Masvingo
Harare
Zimbabwe
Percentage (%)
Monthly Annual
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
455.87
502.78
490.21
509.13
506.11
508.36
502.26
426.79
449.06
460.91
516.90
456.98
464.23
444.84
418.61
446.93
465.02
511.13
473.55
485.02
485.71
453.02
469.51
470.50
518.83
449.62
470.24
461.71
437.59
467.78
473.89
543.30
491.03
508.06
482.33
505.13
522.62
530.04
609.73
628.68
630.39
586.42
482.86
503.05
525.55
601.93
585.63
588.93
567.91
447.35
471.90
476.69
512.48
468.21
462.88
443.89
463.87
486.93
492.76
535.67
492.63
483.14
480.53
451.53
474.43
481.50
549.64
515.39
486.78
476.90
453.63
478.95
486.19
539.78
504.03
506.23
491.26
2011
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
500.30
495.70
479.06
489.26
480.77
473.28
477.20
540.58
476.34
488.81
494.80
489.89
460.81
489.33
469.75
463.28
465.82
436.11
466.18
512.43
443.57
448.64
448.50
432.42
482.58
482.03
476.29
476.55
484.99
447.80
450.80
526.84
452.36
439.56
427.11
442.09
485.49
493.29
484.43
479.24
481.06
434.75
449.27
511.49
463.98
460.43
457.48
450.60
481.68
492.48
487.98
482.11
493.61
441.26
456.88
505.17
456.05
451.93
470.18
471.85
558.40
582.58
551.81
540.02
559.72
502.51
493.94
558.38
522.85
498.35
500.19
501.68
539.68
519.83
524.26
524.08
530.86
549.18
511.85
560.80
510.76
516.42
508.25
513.48
488.95
503.92
487.58
490.37
488.08
451.00
452.13
536.37
460.62
454.84
456.45
457.71
501.04
503.43
495.53
514.29
529.46
497.53
503.21
523.18
476.99
453.50
471.53
450.69
506.28
503.12
495.39
477.16
472.21
461.13
463.15
538.24
464.48
467.96
475.31
459.90
499.79
505.89
494.67
493.10
497.84
468.21
471.97
531.04
472.20
467.46
470.38
466.36
7.06
1.22
-2.22
-0.32
0.96
-5.95
0.80
12.52
-11.08
-1.00
0.62
-0.85
10.4
8.2
6.8
-0.1
-1.1
-9.3
-6.3
11.3
-0.4
1.2
-0.2
-0.1
2012
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
481.18
513.77
482.99
509.03
506.21
484.35
465.02
472.75
475.32
603.46
623.96
517.41
439.20
449.31
451.83
588.77
553.12
543.31
532.93
542.86
596.83
520.79
564.76
454.06
458.45
467.09
472.65
556.51
546.52
525.29
524.02
522.76
536.20
524.72
533.62
478.07
468.13
475.20
486.21
568.93
577.17
512.75
521.32
547.61
571.93
531.68
548.73
438.61
481.70
485.45
498.80
616.83
616.61
581.80
515.89
552.06
565.42
561.51
571.11
496.27
538.91
543.14
486.05
647.29
632.19
625.87
618.92
607.86
644.21
634.11
628.25
750.44
530.05
527.88
517.89
574.86
642.74
639.58
623.20
602.92
628.92
664.77
658.43
638.67
456.98
467.97
482.26
495.23
508.97
558.86
528.51
518.98
512.71
598.40
573.97
467.71
480.45
493.57
520.54
543.03
541.72
525.20
556.95
559.84
546.12
584.43
633.29
464.44
463.96
469.64
475.00
625.66
578.78
557.10
541.69
565.27
593.88
612.35
628.63
520.09
478.99
488.49
487.03
570.69
568.58
553.51
541.01
547.98
564.98
581.81
595.09
515.44
2.71
1.98
-0.30
17.18
-0.37
-2.65
-2.26
1.29
3.10
2.98
2.28
-13.38
-4.2
-3.4
-1.5
15.7
14.2
18.2
14.6
3.2
19.6
24.5
26.5
10.5
2013
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May *
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
491.00
494.26
503.15
502.24
498.52
501.69
499.75
493.65
581.52
498.87
505.18
509.31
445.13
450.52
465.11
465.48
461.98
458.90
459.30
458.07
458.30
448.57
454.28
458.63
485.10
484.92
478.60
474.48
474.87
473.20
470.39
459.12
469.23
458.30
474.17
481.10
431.56
453.81
450.42
435.32
435.07
437.56
461.15
455.10
454.48
455.14
458.25
469.31
473.18
490.13
499.60
500.36
493.42
488.30
504.27
493.77
485.85
483.37
488.76
492.10
582.05
660.63
649.08
628.00
612.64
656.34
610.74
631.90
614.06
630.16
635.34
637.44
596.60
609.87
622.06
611.91
586.06
578.96
557.78
575.91
573.86
573.17
571.46
573.51
473.10
460.29
476.20
471.82
477.52
469.78
463.72
465.71
456.25
465.62
467.53
471.45
507.55
508.93
502.72
499.52
493.53
492.84
489.88
481.14
482.14
484.76
482.25
487.39
507.46
553.82
552.20
518.27
510.60
512.92
505.98
512.62
506.11
504.74
503.98
499.41
496.81
512.72
516.27
507.53
501.90
503.66
500.34
499.93
505.21
497.48
501.46
505.47
-3.61
3.20
0.69
-1.69
-7.49
0.35
-0.66
-0.08
1.06
-1.53
0.80
0.80
3.7
5.0
6.0
-11.1
-4.58
-1.64
-0.03
-1.38
-3.34
-7.6
-8.9
6.0
2014
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
511.40
510.48
511.09
510.27
509.77
509.50
508.12
504.52
505.74
502.16
508.61
508.75
468.95
468.11
464.29
466.90
475.09
475.59
471.22
462.81
462.26
456.05
450.12
450.25
475.07
474.21
477.66
480.79
491.89
491.39
487.13
489.56
488.34
485.75
489.41
489.55
477.56
476.70
467.19
462.37
463.23
482.07
476.49
470.22
469.82
469.71
463.94
464.07
509.29
508.38
508.26
504.24
509.74
534.89
522.18
504.34
503.31
503.25
494.98
495.12
640.72
639.56
654.61
652.33
649.38
633.29
622.34
614.23
613.87
621.13
612.67
612.84
580.57
579.52
574.80
584.21
577.91
601.48
593.50
596.61
594.01
589.53
597.81
597.97
475.24
474.39
468.77
468.57
471.27
471.76
461.78
455.35
454.82
448.81
452.37
452.49
501.25
500.35
490.65
485.54
488.17
480.76
481.26
476.87
477.09
473.46
471.69
471.82
495.37
494.48
488.06
483.42
486.77
488.58
491.74
485.65
484.39
478.16
482.45
482.58
511.10
510.18
506.97
505.72
507.97
511.69
509.18
503.52
502.90
500.09
499.67
499.81
1.11
-0.18
-0.63
-0.25
0.45
0.73
-0.49
-1.11
-0.12
-0.56
-0.08
0.03
11.2
7.6
6.2
7.7
1.2
1.6
1.8
0.7
-0.5
0.5
-0.4
-1.1
2015
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
507.25
507.04
505.78
512.53
508.46
505.29
506.59
498.97
501.94
492.53
494.57
486.84
451.10
450.71
451.12
452.53
451.48
451.45
441.87
437.83
438.30
435.85
435.67
440.81
486.77
489.47
489.15
491.26
493.12
500.19
485.11
482.61
484.24
476.79
475.82
474.63
464.24
462.65
463.98
473.54
469.95
468.18
466.14
463.22
460.26
451.39
450.23
447.50
493.80
493.02
495.89
485.13
490.38
482.43
493.54
475.43
466.98
462.52
472.20
478.14
612.62
599.09
606.32
607.00
591.61
586.51
582.90
575.06
570.61
573.84
568.70
565.30
598.91
590.39
593.71
590.00
584.82
571.72
560.42
558.22
548.55
540.44
546.71
536.06
452.08
455.09
454.53
451.16
446.71
443.82
438.92
433.90
431.24
431.39
442.44
446.36
470.97
468.49
455.35
452.71
470.65
504.03
500.26
495.76
492.22
488.52
485.12
485.64
484.53
475.40
462.06
456.91
457.57
455.15
494.08
491.70
488.83
486.97
486.99
485.19
499.48
496.74
495.05
494.53
494.16
494.81
495.12
489.41
486.56
482.23
484.20
483.25
-0.07
-0.55
-0.34
-0.10
-0.08
0.13
0.06
-1.15
-0.58
-0.89
0.41
-0.20
-2.3
-2.6
-2.4
-2.2
-2.7
-3.3
-2.8
-2.8
-3.2
-3.6
-3.1
-3.3
2016
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
482.60
493.20
490.13
483.11
441.44
438.67
441.48
440.91
473.69
472.74
472.08
470.88
447.39
450.03
446.95
445.75
480.48
472.61
471.33
469.58
567.51
568.02
571.93
571.14
537.77
534.45
531.68
535.12
445.96
447.22
440.12
437.65
482.46
479.62
480.54
479.90
486.67
485.23
489.02
487.97
483.16
482.74
482.00
480.61
-0.02
-0.09
-0.15
-0.29
-3.3
-2.8
-2.6
-2.8
* new basket as from May 2013 onwards, see appendix 2 for details
5
5.6
1.5
11.0
-6.6
0.4
-3.0
Appendix 1
Summary of International Labour Organization (ILO) position on
Poverty Datum Lines in relation to wages and salaries
The ILO Position on PDL in relation to Wages and Salaries
The Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Recommendation, 1928, the Minimum Wage Fixing
Machinery (Agriculture) Recommendation, 1951, and the Equal Remuneration Recommendation,
1951, provided the following guidelines for minimum wage fixing bodies:


That the minimum wage fixing, should adopt criteria which will make systems of
minimum wages both an effective instrument of social protection and an element in the
strategy of economic and social development,
that minimum wage fixing should in no way operate to the prejudice of the exercise and
growth of free collective bargaining as a means of fixing wages higher than the
minimum, and
The Minimum Wage Fixing Recommendation, 1970 stated the purpose of minimum wage fixing
as:


Minimum wage fixing should constitute one element in a policy designed to overcome
poverty and to ensure the satisfaction of the needs of all workers and their families.
The fundamental purpose of minimum wage fixing should be to give wage earners
necessary social protection as regards minimum permissible levels of wages.
ILO Criteria for Determining the Level of Minimum Wages
In determining the level of minimum wages, account should be taken of the following criteria,
amongst others:
 the needs of workers and their families;
 the general level of wages in the country;
 the cost of living and changes therein;
 social security benefits;
 the relative living standards of other social groups ;
 economic factors, including the requirements of economic development, levels of
productivity and the desirability of attaining and maintaining a high level of employment.
From the above discussion, ILO recommends that the PDL should be used as a benchmark or a
reference point in determining minimum wages. Although the recurrent result is that minimum
wages and poverty are inversely related, one cannot always conclude that a rise in the minimum
wages is the most cost effective way to reduce poverty. It is also important to note that there may
be more than one breadwinner in a household, so if everyone gets the minimum wage then it
means that households get far more than what the household would need.
6
Appendix 2
COMPARING THE OLD BASKET WITH THE NEW BASKET
The office adopted a new poverty basket based on the 2011/2012 Poverty, Income,
Consumption and Expenditure Survey (PICES) in May 2013.
Users who wish to compare the old basket with the new basket are advised to multiply
the old basket with the following factors
PROVINCE
Manicaland
Mash Central
Mash East
Mash West
Mat North
Mat South
Midlands
Masvingo
Harare
National
FACTORS
0.9
1.0
0.8
0.9
1.0
1.0
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.9
7
Appendix 3
Comparison between the Poverty Datum Line (PDL) produced by ZIMSTAT and the
Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ)’s Basket
ZIMSTAT PDL
1.
2.
3.
4.
CCZ basket
ZIMSTAT produces a PDL from a basket of The CCZ does not produce a PDL but it
commodities on a monthly basis.
produces the cost of a basket of
commodities on a monthly basis.
ZIMSTAT uses an average of five persons based on The CCZ uses an average of six persons. It
the average size of households as established by the is not clear which method is used to
2002 and 2012 Population Census.
determine the average of six persons.
ZIMSTAT uses a sample drawn from all the districts The CCZ draws its sample from the five
of the country. The sample is selected from the urban areas where they have regional
Poverty, Income, Consumption and Expenditure offices namely, Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru,
Survey (PICES) which is carried out after every five Mutare and Masvingo only.
years.
The sample is selected using scientific sampling The CCZ prices are collected from 8
methods.
supermarkets.
The CCZ produces the ‘The CCZ Basket’
to be used by consumers and as a guide to
consumers when purchasing groceries and
other household goods and even indicate
which shops are cheap.
5.
ZIMSTAT produces the PDL as official statistics to be
used by Government, policy makers, the business
community, individual researchers and other users
countrywide.
6.
The Poverty Datum Line (PDL) produced by The CCZ Basket does not use the concept
ZIMSTAT represents the cost of a given standard of of a minimum food basket representing 2
living that must be attained if a person is deemed not 100 calories.
to be poor. The food poverty datum line (FPL)
represents the minimum consumption expenditure
necessary to ensure that each household member can
(if all expenditures were devoted to food) consume a
minimum food basket representing 2 100 calories.
7.
The Poverty Datum Line (PDL) compiled by The CCZ Basket covers 5 urban areas only
ZIMSTAT covers the whole country i.e. both in urban i.e. Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare and
and rural areas.
Masvingo.
8.
9.
The Poverty Datum Line (PDL) produced by
ZIMSTAT is based on the Poverty, Income,
Consumption and Expenditure Survey (PICES) which
is done after every five years according to international
standards in which households in both urban and rural
areas indicate all their actual total consumption in the
administered daily record books. From the survey, a
basket is derived which includes all the 12 divisions
within the United Nations Classification of Individual
Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP)
classification.
Within the 3 500 outlets in the ZIMSTAT sample,
prices of the commodities are collected every month in
line with international best practice. Geometric means
are computed for every item as recommended by
international standards in line with United Nations
Manuals.
The CCZ Basket is based on private
research done by the CCZ on what urban
poor households generally consume from
the following items, food, toiletry and
housing, transport, health and clothing and
the cost of that basket.
In the five urban areas covered by the
CCZ, the CCZ collects prices of the
selected commodities within the CCZ
Basket twice a month.
10.
495 items are covered by ZIMSTAT through the 22 items are covered by the CCZ.
Consumer Price Survey (CPS) including all the items
in the CCZ basket.
11.
ZIMSTAT collects prices for each product every The CCZ Basket indicates price
month.
movements of 22 items on a monthly
basis.
12.
ZIMSTAT collects prices from outlets which include The CCZ prices are collected from 8
supermarkets, departmental stores, specialised stores, supermarkets.
open markets like Mbare Musika, etc.
Note: Appendix 3 has been motivated by the confusion that seemed to arise from the Poverty
Datum Line (PDL) produced by ZIMSTAT and the CCZ Basket produced by the Consumer
Council of Zimbabwe. This appendix is included for the first time in an attempt to remove the
confusion between the two products.