Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) revealed on Sunday that the country’s point to point inflation accelerated to 9.13 percent in February, up from 8.58 percent in January, driven largely by a sharp rise in food prices.
Food inflation rose significantly to 9.30 percent in February, compared with 8.29 percent the previous month. Non food inflation also edged higher to 9.01 percent, up from 8.81 percent in January.
Price pressures remained more pronounced in rural areas than in urban centres. Overall inflation in rural regions climbed to 9.21 percent in February from 8.63 percent in January, although it was lower than the 9.51 percent recorded in February last year.
Rural food inflation increased to 9.07 percent, up from 8.18 percent a month earlier, while non food inflation in these areas rose to 9.34 percent from 9.04 percent.
In urban areas, overall inflation reached 9.07 percent in February, compared with 8.57 percent in January. Urban food prices saw a sharper jump, with food inflation surging to 9.87 percent from 8.61 percent, signalling stronger cost pressures in city markets. Non food inflation in urban areas remained relatively stable at 8.57 percent, slightly higher than 8.54 percent in the previous month.
Despite the month to month rise, the annual average inflation rate showed signs of easing. The 12 month moving average inflation from March 2025 to February 2026 stood at 8.65 percent, down from 10.31 percent during the same period a year earlier.
However, wage growth continued to trail inflation, raising concerns about shrinking purchasing power. The national wage rate index increased by 8.06 percent year on year in February, marginally lower than 8.08 percent in January and 8.12 percent in February 2025.
By sector, wage growth was 8.10 percent in agriculture, 7.99 percent in industry and 8.20 percent in services.
The BBS said the February Consumer Price Index was compiled using data collected from 154 markets across all 64 districts.
The latest data suggest that while overall inflation has moderated compared with last year, rising food costs continue to strain household budgets across the country.
