Minimum monthly expenditure per person gone up by 144% compared to 2019:DCS

29 March 2024 07:39 pm - 23 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, March 29 (Daily Mirror)- The minimum expenditure required by a person to fulfill the basic needs for a month has gone up by 144 per cent in January, 2024 when compared to 2019, the Official Poverty Line declared by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) has revealed.

Additional Director General (Statistics) of the Department Shyamalie Karunaratne said a person to fulfill the basic needs required only Rs. 6966 per month in 2019 whereas a person to fulfill the same needs now require Rs. 17,014.

She said a family of four members need Rs. 68,056 to fulfill the basic needs as per the Official Poverty Line calculated based on statistics of the Household Income and Expenditure survey.

Ms. Karunaratne said the Official Poverty Line has gone up during the last four years due to the drastic increase in inflation.

According to the District Poverty Line, Colombo and Gampaha recorded the highest of 18,350 and 18,256 respectively while the lowest of Rs. 17,090 was recorded in Ratnapura District.

Ms. Karunaratne said the prices of goods should be dropped by a considerable amount to see a reduction in the Official Poverty Line.

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Comments - 23

Sambo Friday, 29 March 2024 08:00 PM

I just can't understand how these people and on what basis they make these calculations. are they living out of this world. They all trying to fool the public.

VAT Saturday, 30 March 2024 03:52 AM

IMF's 18% Value Added Tax (VAT). Government should find an alternative way to increase state revenue rather than taxing people.

Dee Saturday, 30 March 2024 08:47 AM

These stats are for ‘BASIC’ living! Not for eating out , private channeling, pipe water, electricity or the lifestyle you are used to! I too disagree where I come from ! But I totally agree looking at some people who actually live with the said figures!

Be Fair Friday, 29 March 2024 08:04 PM

So the Rs. 2500 per month Theory never was there, ever

Bosol Friday, 29 March 2024 08:18 PM

We have happy to pay so high. Thank you king sar and eluson.

joshua Friday, 29 March 2024 08:27 PM

I thought it was DCSL

Concerned Citizen Friday, 29 March 2024 09:04 PM

The stupid Central Bank officials cannot understand this simple fact ! Despite their PHDs in economics.... And now they are trying to increase consumption by reducing interest rates when the people’s disposal income / savings are negative. With a low interest rate regime only the poor pensioners are suffering an now even their little savings are useless ! Our Central Bank is utterly useless !!!

Concerned Citizen Friday, 29 March 2024 09:07 PM

This is why the government has to reduce the taxes and make goods more affordable. Simply reducing interest rates is NOT a solution to increase consumption. The stupid CBSL officials cannot understand this simple fact...

Rishan Friday, 29 March 2024 10:01 PM

Sadly most of the people in private sector gets the 2019 basic salary only without any overtime or allowance due to poor business. But the cost of living have gone up by more than 200% .... not sure how many people will get the avurudu bonus......

Nimal Friday, 29 March 2024 11:22 PM

We have lies, damn lies and statistics. This department is no exception when it comes to manipulating figures to paint a rosy picture about our government. Just take on example. A cup of plain tea that cost Rs 20/= in 2019 now costs Rs 50/=. Does it amount to an increase of 144%. These guys do not know their arithmetic for sure.

Gunadasa Saturday, 30 March 2024 04:59 AM

If tea price has increased from Rs 20 to Rs 50 that is 150% rise. That means Statistics department must be correct when you consider price rise of other items as well

Dee Saturday, 30 March 2024 08:44 AM

At least you got your arithmetic almost right! Congratulations.

Rishan Saturday, 30 March 2024 08:56 AM

You are right. Now see 1kg milk powder cost 2700 in 2024 and on 2019 it was 950.

Eper Saturday, 30 March 2024 07:38 AM

Lazy Lankan politicians are heavily dependent on imports and since The dollar/ rupee conversion rate has increased by over 100% since 2019 and is bound to reduce before the elections,we will be in a position to live happily for the next 5years

VJ Saturday, 30 March 2024 08:48 AM

These statistics indicate that we have become poorer. Our earning capacity remains the same, cost of living has more than doubled. Begging, seeking employment in SPAs stealing, burglaries, cheating have increased due to these facts. People are living a life of fear, many residents fear to leave their houses unattended even to attend a function or a funeral. There is a wide gap between those who have and those who don’t. This social inequality will see many problems to come. Living under stress could take a toll on the health of everyone irrespective of age. The public health system has totally failed. The education system has failed. Children are forced to attend private tuition which their parents cannot afford. All the social ills only point to one thing, poor governance from the time of independence has cascaded into the present crisis. Need to change the way we think or perish.

Ronald Saturday, 30 March 2024 09:02 AM

People had enough money to eat drink pay bills buy clothes and little disposable income to spend on basic needs after 2021 basically almost everthing was increased by 100% to 300% thats where people started to suffer all essentials electricity traveling food beverages fruits vegetable dairy fish meats eggs. almost everthing was increased by massive percentage including local produce no other country in the planet have increased the way we have done ....all prices need to be reduce accordingly with proper macanisam to protect the majority population who are low income earners to feed families

My foot Saturday, 30 March 2024 09:06 AM

Check with BANDULA He will give full details with 2500/- Rs ??

All Purpose cleaner Bandula Gunawardhane! Saturday, 30 March 2024 09:21 AM

Can Prof. Bandula Gunawardhane give us some reassuring words to soothe our tummies? He may have a viable reason how our Dollar Reserve vanished into thin air! Now that he is with Ranil, he can even name Ali Babas who bolted with our dollars.

All Purpose cleaner Bandula Gunawardhane! Saturday, 30 March 2024 09:21 AM

Can Prof. Bandula Gunawardhane give us some reassuring words to soothe our tummies? He may have a viable reason how our Dollar Reserve vanished into thin air! Now that he is with Ranil, he can even name Ali Babas who bolted with our dollars.

Can’t Sustain High Interest Forever Saturday, 30 March 2024 10:21 AM

@concern citizen- if you have high interest rates, loan rates will be high too. Therefore, especially the business and young people market who need loans to start off will find it difficult and no development to the country. Check those developing and develop countries, most interest are below 3%

Mohamed Burhan Saturday, 30 March 2024 12:08 PM

A family of 4 with separate MIL or mother needs today Rs.4000 per day to have a proper 3 times meal. Absurd talking of economic stastics.As I know monthly income is in the range of 40000 to 80000!!! Interest rates have come dow below 10% per month.

Patcitz Saturday, 30 March 2024 03:32 PM

The calculation is utterly WRONG, expenditure per head per month for his/her basic needs, requires more than Rs. 100,000/-.

Cheers Saturday, 30 March 2024 03:36 PM

Thanks to Aragalaya Dan sapada kapan buriyani

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Minimum monthly expenditure per person gone up by 144% compared to 2019:DCS

Comments - 23

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