One person requires US$50,46 for total monthly expenses – Zimsat

 A single person now requires the equivalent of US$50.46 per month to meet basic expenses, according to the latest data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat).

The Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL) in Zimbabwe represents the minimum cost of a basket of food and non-food items needed per individual per month to avoid being classified as poor.  Follow our Whatsapp Channel For Instant Updates

According to data for March 2026, ZimStat placed the TCPL at ZWG1,312.17, which translates to US$50.46 based on the official exchange rate. This means an individual requires approximately US$1.68 per day to cover total expenses.

The TCPL is the sum of the Food Poverty Line (FPL), the cost of a 2,100-calorie daily diet, and essential non-food items such as housing, clothing and transport. It indicates the minimum total income required for an individual not to be deemed poor.

“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 (FPL) for one person in March 2026 was ZWG896.49, reflecting the minimum cost of basic food requirements per person for the month.

For a family of six, ZimStat data shows that monthly expenses now amount to ZWG7,872, equivalent to about US$302.

The statistics come as many citizens continue to struggle to make ends meet, raising questions about the credibility of the data in addressing the real challenges facing the population.

Comparatively, data from neighboring South Africa shows that the Upper-Bound Poverty Line (UBPL), often used to represent total consumption, stands at R2,846 (about $167) per person per month.

 Source- NewZimbabwe