The economics of emotion: A budget in the time of high inflation and football fever

Bangladesh is in for a uniquely double-header on 11 June 2026: the national budget and the FIFA World Cup enter the arena on the same day.

One outlines the nation's economic priorities and financial goals; the other is about teams chasing goals. A striking coincidence emerges when we look at the timing of these two events. Except for Qatar 2022's winter edition, the two events have long shared the same seasonal stage since before Bangladesh was even an idea on a map.

These two events may seem completely different. Yet their convergence offers an important lesson about the relationship between economics and human emotion.

Every year, the national budget brings policymakers to balance competing demands for healthcare, education, infrastructure, social protection and economic development. In a developing country like Bangladesh, various economic uncertainties prevail, including slower growth, rising public debt and persistent cost-of-living pressures. Citizens are concerned about inflation, household expenses and employment opportunities.

Against this backdrop, the World Cup offers people brief but meaningful respite. For a few weeks, football fever allows millions to step away from economic difficulties and share moments of enthusiasm, hope and collective joy.

Even in countries that do not participate in the tournament, the World Cup can generate a significant economic boost. Vendors sell flags of nations, fans buy jerseys of their favourite players, and media companies enjoy record viewership from audiences who otherwise skip advertisements at lightning speed.

Even local shops and restaurants benefit as the football fever reaches the snack counter too, with fans consuming more crisps, popcorn, fast food and soft drinks during match nights.

Now imagine if the all-time fan favourites Argentina and Brazil meet in the final, the country's emotional GDP may well outperform its economic GDP for a few unforgettable weeks. Entire communities gather to watch matches, streets are decorated with flags and banners of different national teams, and fans celebrate victories and mourn defeats as if they were their own.

It is a matter of fact that the World Cup cannot stabilise long-persistent inflation, reduce budget deficits or fix structural economic challenges. Yet the annual budget and the quadrennial World Cup represent two sides of the same coin. The budget addresses the practical realities of economic life, how resources should be allocated and spent, while the World Cup reminds us why those resources matter in the first place.

All these economic policies and governance structures ultimately exist to serve citizens. And people are motivated not only by economic incentives but also by emotions, excitement and shared moments of celebration.

Perhaps even the finance minister, after delivering a lengthy budget speech explaining the country's fiscal constraints, revenue targets and expenditures, might find a moment of relief watching his favourite team take the field. For a few weeks, financial statement sheets give way to score sheets, and economic anxieties are replaced by the shared drama of the matches.