Bangladesh’s overall inflation rate eased to 8.29 per cent in August, down from 8.55 per cent in July, marking the lowest level in more than three years, according to official data released on Sunday by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).
The last time inflation fell below this level was in July 2022, when it stood at 7.48 per cent. Since then, inflation has remained persistently above the 8 per cent mark, placing considerable pressure on household finances and consumer purchasing power.
The latest BBS figures indicate a slight increase in food inflation, which rose to 7.60 per cent in August from 7.56 per cent in the previous month. In contrast, non-food inflation saw a notable decline, falling to 8.90 per cent from 9.38 per cent in July.
Officials attributed the overall easing of inflation primarily to the decline in non-food price pressures, particularly in areas such as transportation, utilities, and household goods.
Despite the recent dip, average inflation for the 2024–25 fiscal year still stood at a high 10.03 per cent, reflecting the broader economic challenges faced over the past year, including global commodity price volatility and domestic supply chain disruptions.
The BBS also reported modest declines in inflation rates in both rural and urban areas, suggesting a marginal improvement in cost-of-living conditions across different segments of the population.
While the easing of inflation offers some relief, economists caution that sustained downward momentum will depend on stabilising food prices and addressing structural issues in the domestic supply chain.
