Inflation in Bangladesh continued to ease for the second consecutive month in September, as prices of both food and non-food items moderated, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

However, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has remained around 10 per cent since March last year, despite several interest rate hikes by the central bank.

In September, the CPI was recorded at 9.92 per cent, down from 10.49 per cent in August, according to data released Thursday by the BBS.

In August, the CPI had fallen to 10.49 per cent from 11.66 per cent in July.

Food prices in September rose at a slower rate of 10.4 per cent, compared to 11.36 per cent in August, as reported by the BBS. Non-food inflation also eased, decreasing to 9.5 per cent in September from 9.74 per cent in August.

In September, rural inflation was recorded at 10.15 per cent, down from 10.95 per cent in August.

Rural food inflation fell to 10.38 per cent, compared to 11.44 per cent in the previous month.

Conversely, non-food inflation in rural areas decreased from 10.45per cent in August to 9.91 per cent in September.

Urban areas experienced lower inflation rates, with overall inflation in September at 9.83 per cent, down from 10.01 per cent in August.

However, non-food inflation in urban areas saw a slight increase, rising to 9.38 per cent from 9.20 per cent, while food inflation decreased to 10.50 per cent, down from 11.24 per cent in August.

BBS also reported that the national wage growth rate in September was 8.01 per cent, a slight increase from 7.96 per cent in August. Nevertheless, wage growth has remained below inflation for the past 32 months.