Written by The Banking Post
Bangladesh’s inflation rose above the 9% mark in April, as higher fuel prices and mounting transport costs pushed up living expenses across the country.
According to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, overall inflation climbed to 9.04% in April from 8.71% in March.
The sharpest increase came from the transport sector, where inflation surged to 9.31%, up from 7.47% a month earlier. Analysts said the jump was largely linked to higher imported fuel costs amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The government’s recent increase in domestic fuel and gas prices also added to inflationary pressure, particularly in the non-food segment.
Non-food inflation rose to 9.57% in April from 9.09% in March, while food inflation edged up to 8.39% from 8.24%.
Price pressures were felt in both rural and urban areas. Rural inflation increased to 9.05% from 8.72%, while urban inflation climbed to 9.02% from 8.68%.
Despite the monthly rise, the 12-month average inflation rate showed some easing, falling to 8.59% for the May 2025-April 2026 period, compared with 10.21% a year earlier.
Economists said the latest figures highlight a growing gap between income growth and living costs.
The Wage Rate Index rose 8.16% in April, lower than the national inflation rate of 9.04%, indicating that many workers are losing purchasing power as prices rise faster than wages.
Among sectors, wage growth was highest in services at 8.31%, followed by agriculture at 8.19%. Industrial workers saw the slowest wage growth at 8.09%, leaving them more exposed to rising non-food costs.
The data also showed regional disparities. Wage growth in Dhaka Division stood at 8.64%, while Barishal Division recorded the lowest increase at 8.04%.
Analysts warned that persistent global energy volatility and higher transport costs could keep inflation elevated in the coming months, adding pressure on household spending and business costs alike.
