TDS Desk:

Overall inflation rose to 8.49% in December, growing by 0.20% from November, as prices of both food and non-food items increased, according to data released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

Despite the monthly increase, inflation remains well below the 10.89% recorded in December 2024.

Food inflation increased to 7.71% in December from 7.36% a month earlier, while non-food inflation climbed to 9.13% from 9.08%. A year ago, food inflation was significantly higher at 12.92%, while non-food inflation stood at 9.26%.

Non-food items continued to exert stronger pressure on overall inflation, driven in part by sharp price increases in miscellaneous goods and services.

Urban areas experienced slightly higher inflation than rural regions. Overall inflation in cities stood at 8.55%, compared to 8.48% in rural areas. Urban food inflation was recorded at 7.87%, while rural food inflation was 7.67%.

Meanwhile, wage growth showed a modest improvement. The national Wage Rate Index rose by 8.07% year-on-year in December, led by the service sector.

The 12-month moving average inflation fell to 8.77%, signalling a gradual easing of price pressures over the past year.