Bangladesh’s point-to-point inflation rose to 9.42% in May 2026, up from 9.04% in April, driven mainly by higher food prices, according to the latest data released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).
The inflation rate was also slightly higher than the 9.05% recorded in May, 2025.
Data showed that food inflation increased significantly to 9.06% in May from 8.39% in April, while non-food inflation edged up to 9.71% from 9.57% during the same period.
In May last year, food inflation stood at 8.59% and non-food inflation at 9.42%.
The BBS said the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for May was prepared based on information collected from 154 markets across all 64 districts of the country.
Inflation in rural areas climbed to 9.48% in May, compared with 9.05% in April and the same rate a year earlier.
Rural food inflation rose to 8.95% from 8.23% in April, while non-food inflation increased to 9.98% from 9.81%.
In May 2025, rural food and non-food inflation rates were 8.30% and 9.75%, respectively.
In urban areas, point-to-point inflation rose to 9.25% in May from 9.02% in April. However, it remained below the 9.50% recorded in May last year.
Urban food inflation increased to 9.29% from 8.81% in April, while non-food inflation rose to 9.24% from 9.15%.
A year earlier, both food and non-food inflation rates in urban areas stood at 9.29% and 9.63% respectively.
Despite the monthly increase, the 12-month moving average inflation rate continued to decline.
The moving average inflation for the period from June 2025 to May 2026 was estimated at 8.63%, down significantly from 10.13% during the corresponding period from June 2024 to May 2025.
The decline indicates a gradual easing of inflationary pressures on an annual basis, although monthly price increases remain elevated.
Meanwhile, the national wage rate growth stood at 8.21% on a point-to-point basis in May, marginally higher than 8.16% recorded in April and unchanged from May 2025.
Sector-wise, wage growth in agriculture, industry and services was recorded at 8.22%, 8.15% and 8.36% respectively in May.
In April, the corresponding rates were 8.19%, 8.09% and 8.31%, while in May last year they were 8.43%, 7.90% and 8.45% respectively.
The BBS said the Wage Rate Index for May was prepared using data collected from all 64 districts.
The latest figures indicate that while wages continued to grow modestly, the pace remained below the overall inflation rate, suggesting that many households are still facing pressure on their purchasing power amid persistently high living costs.