Bangladesh’s point-to-point inflation rose to 9.42 per cent in May 2026, up from 9.04 per cent 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 per cent recorded in May, 2025.
Data showed that food inflation increased significantly to 9.06 per cent in May from 8.39 per cent in April, while non-food inflation edged up to 9.71 per cent from 9.57 per cent during the same period.
In May last year, food inflation stood at 8.59 per cent and non-food inflation at 9.42 per cent.
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 per cent in May, compared with 9.05 per cent in April and the same rate a year earlier.
Rural food inflation rose to 8.95 per cent from 8.23 per cent in April, while non-food inflation increased to 9.98 per cent from 9.81 per cent.
In May 2025, rural food and non-food inflation rates were 8.30 per cent and 9.75 per cent respectively.
In urban areas, point-to-point inflation rose to 9.25 per cent in May from 9.02 per cent in April. However, it remained below the 9.50 per cent recorded in May last year.
Urban food inflation increased to 9.29 per cent from 8.81 per cent in April, while non-food inflation rose to 9.24 per cent from 9.15 per cent.
A year earlier, both food and non-food inflation rates in urban areas stood at 9.29 per cent and 9.63 per cent 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 per cent, down significantly from 10.13 per cent 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 per cent on a point-to-point basis in May, marginally higher than 8.16 per cent recorded in April and unchanged from May 2025.
Sector-wise, wage growth in agriculture, industry and services was recorded at 8.22 per cent, 8.15 per cent and 8.36 per cent respectively in May.
In April, the corresponding rates were 8.19 per cent, 8.09 per cent and 8.31 per cent, while in May last year they were 8.43 per cent, 7.90 per cent and 8.45 per cent 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.