Latest Poverty Datum Line Figures

Based on the most recent data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) for late 2025 and early 2026:

Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL): Approximately ZiG 1,300.95 per person per month. This figure represents the minimum total income required for an individual to afford both food and non-food items. Food Poverty Line (FPL): Approximately ZiG 889.06 per person per month. This is the "extreme poverty" threshold, representing the cost of a basic food basket providing 2,100 calories per day.

Family of Five Threshold: While individual figures are more frequently updated, a household of five would require roughly ZiG 6,500 per month to stay above the TCPL, based on per-capita calculations. ZIMSTAT

Context and Civil Service Wages The Deputy Finance Minister's statement indicates that the government's current remuneration for the lowest-paid civil servant exceeds these marks.

Lowest Paid Worker: Current estimates suggest the entry-level salary is approximately US$364 (or its ZiG equivalent).

Exchange Rate: The official exchange rate is approximately 1 USD to 24.97 ZiG as of March 9, 2026 [Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe].

Purchasing Power: At this rate, a US$364 salary converts to roughly ZiG 9,089, which sits above the estimated family-of-five poverty line of ZiG 6,500. RBZ

For further detailed monthly breakdowns, you can visit the official ZIMSTAT Poverty Datum Line page.