Bangladesh’s inflation eased marginally in October, with the rate falling to 8.17 per cent from 8.36 per cent in September, as declining food prices offered modest relief despite persistent cost pressures from nonfood items, according to official data released.

Figures from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) indicate that food inflation eased in both urban and rural areas last month, tempering the overall consumer price index (CPI). However, nonfood inflation rose, reflecting higher costs for essential goods and industrial commodities.

Analysts said inflation could have dropped further if not for rising prices of non-agricultural and industrial products, which continued to weigh on household budgets.

Urban residents bore the brunt of price pressures, with overall inflation reaching 8.33 percent compared to 8.16 percent in rural areas. In towns, food inflation fell to 7.45 percent in October from 7.94 percent the previous month, while non-food inflation rose to 8.92 percent from 8.51 percent.

In rural regions, food inflation declined more sharply—from 7.54 per cent in September to 6.94 per cent in October—though nonfood inflation inched up to 9.41 per cent.

The BBS noted that the 12-month average inflation rate between November 2024 and October 2025 stood at 9.22 percent, down from 10.05 percent during the same period a year earlier.

The government has set a target to reduce the average inflation rate to 6.5 percent in the 2025–26 fiscal year.

Inflation had shown a steady decline earlier this year, falling from 9.35% in March to 8.48% in June. However, renewed price pressures in the following months pushed the rate back up to 8.55 percent in July and 8.36 percent in September.

Although the latest figures suggest some easing, analysts caution that inflation remains well above the government’s comfort zone, with nonfood costs—such as utilities, transport, and rent—continuing to strain consumers.

In October 2024, the inflation rate had reached 10.87%, underscoring the progress made in recent months. Yet, with nonfood prices still stubbornly high, economists say the central bank and fiscal authorities will need to coordinate policies carefully to prevent renewed inflationary pressures in the coming quarters.