Bangladesh’s economy expanded at 2.22 percent in the third quarter (January-March) of the 2025-26 fiscal year, marking a sharp slowdown from 4.53 percent recorded in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year, according to provisional estimates released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

The latest quarterly Gross Domestic Product (QGDP) estimates show that GDP at current prices stood at Tk 15,391 billion in the January-March quarter, up from Tk 14,192 billion in the same period of FY25.

The BBS said the QGDP estimates were prepared in line with international standards to provide a more frequent assessment of economic performance and support policy planning.

Bangladesh has been publishing quarterly GDP estimates regularly since FY24, while historical quarterly data from FY16 to FY23 have been generated through a backcasting method.

According to the provisional estimates, the economy grew by 4.96 percent in the first quarter and 3.03 percent in the second quarter of FY26 before slowing further to 2.22 percent in the third quarter.

Cumulatively, GDP growth during the first three quarters (July-March) stood at 3.63 percent, compared to 3.99 percent during the corresponding period of FY25.

The BBS data indicates mixed sectoral performance during the third quarter.

The sector-wise quarterly estimates showed that growth weakened across the economy during the third quarter, with the industry sector slipping into negative territory.

The agriculture sector grew by 1.74 percent in the January-March quarter, compared to 4.61 percent in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year.

The sector recorded a growth of 2.11 percent in the first quarter and 3.68 percent in the second quarter of the current fiscal year, against -0.12 percent and 1.90 percent, respectively, in the corresponding quarters of FY25.

The industry sector contracted by 0.28 percent in the third quarter, reversing the 3.33 percent growth recorded in the same quarter a year earlier.

Industry growth stood at 6.82 percent in the first quarter and 1.27 percent in the second quarter of FY26, compared to 4.80 percent and 5.78 percent, respectively, in the corresponding quarters of the previous fiscal year.

The services sector expanded by 3.52 percent during the third quarter, significantly lower than the 7.32 percent growth registered in the same period of FY25.

The sector posted growth of 4.51 percent in the first quarter and 4.45 percent in the second quarter of the current fiscal year, compared to 4.49 percent and 3.48 percent, respectively, in the corresponding quarters of the previous fiscal year.