Bangladesh Inflation Slows from 10-Month High

The annual inflation rate in Bangladesh rose to 9.04% in April 2026 from 8.71% in the previous month. The biggest upward pressure came from food and non-alcoholic beverages (8.39% vs 8.24% in March), housing and utilities (8.92% vs 8.43%), and transportation (9.31% vs 7.47%), mainly driven by higher global energy costs as Bangladesh remains among the countries most vulnerable to disruptions stemming from the Middle East conflict due to its heavy reliance on imported fuel and limited reserve supplies. Inflation also increased for alcoholic beverages and tobacco (9.81% vs 9.69%), furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance (6.19% vs 6.15%), health (3.9% vs 3.69%), communication (9.21% vs 8.65%), recreation and culture (9.85% vs 9.26%), education (8.48% vs 8.32%), and restaurants and hotels (10.88% vs 10.38%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices eased to 0.7%, from a five-month high of 0.89% in March.

The annual inflation rate in Bangladesh eased to 8.71% in March 2026 from February’s ten-month high of 9.13%, which had been driven by higher food prices ahead of Ramadan and increased election-related spending. Prices moderated for food and non-alcoholic beverages (8.24% vs 9.30% in February), miscellaneous goods and services (22.34% vs 24.04%), and clothing and footwear (9.59% vs 11.03%). Meanwhile, prices accelerated for transportation (7.47% vs 6.65%), housing and utilities (8.43% vs 8.42%), alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics (9.69% vs 8.43%), communication (8.65% vs 8.13%), education (8.32% vs 7.54%), furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance (6.15% vs 6.02%), restaurants and hotels (10.38% vs 9.93%), and health (3.69% vs 3.66%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices climbed 0.89%, marking the fastest pace in five months, after a 0.36% rise in February.

The annual inflation rate in Bangladesh rose to 9.13% in February 2026 from 8.58% in the previous month. This marked the highest reading since April 2025, as prices increased at a faster pace for food and non-alcoholic beverages (9.30% vs 8.29% in January), alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics (8.43% vs 8.40%), miscellaneous goods and services (24.04% vs 21.06%), clothing and footwear (11.03% vs 11.0%), transportation (6.65% vs 6.55%), communication (8.13% vs 8.04%), and education (7.54% vs 7.38%). On the other hand, costs moderated for housing and utilities (8.42% vs 8.48%), furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance (6.02% vs 6.60%), restaurants and hotels (8.93% vs 9.14%), and health (3.66% vs 3.69%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.36% from 0.23% in January.