Universal Basic Income (UBI)

Extracted Attributes

• Type

  Partial Basic Income (less than basic needs)

• Criticism

  Potential for inflation or negative labor market effects

• Definition

  A social welfare proposal where all citizens regularly receive a minimum income in the form of an unconditional transfer payment.

• Key Principle

  Without a work requirement

• Proponent Argument

  Alleviate poverty and improve financial stability

• Current Status (Full UBI)

  Not implemented in any country as of 2025

• Past Status (Partial UBI)

  Implemented in Mongolia and Iran

Timeline

• Early examples of unconditional payments to citizens date back to this period. (Source: Wikipedia)

  Antiquity

• The first proposals to introduce a regular unconditionally paid income for all citizens were developed and disseminated. (Source: Wikipedia)

  16th-18th centuries

• Public awareness and support for the concept of basic income increased. (Source: Wikipedia)

  Post-Industrial Revolution

• Basic income repeatedly became the subject of political debates. (Source: Wikipedia)

  Mid-20th century

• Discussions related to basic income intensified, particularly concerning automation of the human workforce through AI and the future of work. (Source: Summary, Wikipedia)

  21st century

• Mongolia had a partial UBI system in the past. (Source: Wikipedia)

  Unspecified

• Iran had a partial UBI system in the past. (Source: Wikipedia)

  Unspecified

• The Alaska Permanent Fund averaged $1,600 annually for all residents of Alaska. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2019-01-01

• A UBI scheme trial began in England, run by the think tank Autonomy, providing 30 people with $2,046 for two years. (Source: Web Search)

  2023-06-01

• As of this year, no country has implemented a full UBI system. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2025-01-01

Universal basic income

Universal basic income (UBI) is a social welfare proposal in which all citizens of a given population regularly receive a minimum income in the form of an unconditional transfer payment, i.e., without a means test or need to perform work. In contrast, a guaranteed minimum income (GMI) is paid only to those who do not already receive an income that is enough to live on. A UBI would be received independently of any other income. If the level is sufficient to meet a person's basic needs (i.e., at or above the poverty line), it is considered a full basic income; if it is less than that amount, it is called a partial basic income. As of 2025, no country has implemented a full UBI system, but two countries—Mongolia and Iran—have had a partial UBI in the past. There have been numerous pilot projects, and the idea is discussed in many countries. Some have labelled UBI as utopian due to its historical origin. There are several welfare arrangements that can be considered similar to basic income, although they are not unconditional. Many countries have a system of child benefit, which is essentially a basic income for guardians of children. A pension may be a basic income for retired persons. There are also quasi-basic income programs that are limited to certain population groups or time periods, like Bolsa Familia in Brazil, which is concentrated on the poor, or the Thamarat Program in Sudan, which was introduced by the transitional government to ease the effects of the economic crisis inherited from the Bashir regime. Likewise, the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted some countries to send direct payments to its citizens. The Alaska Permanent Fund is a fund for all residents of the U.S. state of Alaska which averages $1,600 annually (in 2019 currency), and is sometimes described as the only example of a real basic income in practice. A negative income tax (NIT) can be viewed as a basic income for certain income groups in which citizens receive less and less money until this effect is reversed the more a person earns. Critics claim that a basic income at an appropriate level for all citizens is not financially feasible, fear that the introduction of a basic income would lead to fewer people working, and consider it socially unjust that everyone should receive the same amount of money regardless of their individual needs. Proponents say it is indeed financeable, arguing that such a system, instead of many individual means-tested social benefits, would eliminate more expensive social administration and bureaucratic efforts, and expect that unattractive jobs would have to be better paid and their working conditions improved because there would have to be an incentive to do them when already receiving an income, which would increase the willingness to work. Advocates also argue that a basic income is fair because it ensures that everyone has a sufficient financial basis to build on and less financial pressure, thus allowing people to find work that suits their interests and strengths. Early examples of unconditional payments to citizens date back to antiquity, and the first proposals to introduce a regular unconditionally paid income for all citizens were developed and disseminated between the 16th and 18th centuries. After the Industrial Revolution, public awareness and support for the concept increased. At least since the mid-20th century, basic income has repeatedly been the subject of political debates. In the 21st century, several discussions are related to the debate about basic income, including those concerning the automation of large parts of the human workforce through artificial intelligence (AI), and associated questions regarding the future of the necessity of work. A key issue in these debates is whether automation and AI will significantly reduce the number of available jobs and whether a basic income could help prevent or alleviate such problems by allowing everyone to benefit from a society's wealth, as well as whether a UBI could be a stepping stone to a resource-based or post-scarcity economy.

Web Search Results

• Is Universal Basic Income a good idea?

  Universal Basic Income (UBI, Citizens’ Basic Income – CBI, or simply Basic Income) is an idea whose time appears to have come. The Welsh Government has committed to trialling it, the Scottish Government has invested in the feasibility of pilots, several English cities are keen to test it out and a number of political parties included UBI trials in their manifestos. But is it really the right basis on which to build a post-pandemic society? What problems is it trying to solve? Is it the only or [...] ## What exactly is Universal Basic Income? There are many models but at its heart it is a regular cash payment every individual receives, without any reference to their other income or wealth and without any conditions. Payment amounts can vary according to broad demographic characteristics, such as a different payment for working-age adults, children and pensioners.

• Universal basic income | County Health Rankings & Roadmaps

  Universal basic income (UBI) is a suggested strategy to improve individuals’ financial stability and health outcomes1, 8, 9. Available evidence suggests that programs with similarities to UBI, such as cash transfer programs or supplemental assistance programs, can have positive, multi-generational effects, based on long-term studies of individuals whose families received these types of supports when they were children3, 10, 11. These programs do not appear to significantly reduce labor supply1, [...] Universal basic income (UBI) programs provide all or most individuals in a community with regular cash transfers, regardless of employment status, age, or other conditions. Amounts vary but proposals emphasize that they should be enough for individuals to meet their basic needs and to live with dignity1, 2 without earned income3. Dignity generally refers to economic security4 and freedom from stigma and exploitation in meeting basic needs2. Most UBI proposals include children and young adults [...] It is unclear what impact universal basic income (UBI) could have on disparities in wealth and income. Universal basic income is not implemented in the U.S. but would provide cash transfers to individuals unconditionally, universally, and regularly2, 4. Cash transfer programs have the potential to decrease disparities through improvements in income, educational attainment, and health among families with low incomes10, 14. However, more research is needed to determine the long-term,

• [PDF] Universal Basic Income (UBI)

  Hello, I would like to write a quick brief about universal basic income. Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a policy proposal that aims to provide a regular, unconditional cash payment to every citizen within a given jurisdiction, regardless of their income, employment status, or other factors. The key principle behind UBI is to ensure that every individual has a basic level of economic security and to alleviate poverty. The concept of UBI has gained significant attention and discussion in recent [...] years as a potential solution to address societal challenges such as income inequality, job displacement due to automation, and changing labor market dynamics. Proponents argue that UBI can provide a safety net, empower individuals to make choices about their work and life, and stimulate economic growth. Here are some key aspects of UBI: 1. Universal: UBI is designed to be universally distributed to all citizens or residents within a specific jurisdiction, regardless of their employment or [...] improved health and well-being, increfased social mobility, and enhanced entrepreneurship and innovation. Critics of UBI raise concerns about its affordability, potential disincentives to work, and the potential for inflation or negative labor market effects. Various pilot programs and experiments exploring UBI have been conducted or are underway in different countries and jurisdictions worldwide to assess its feasibility, impact, and implications for public policy. While UBI remains a topic of

• Universal basic income - Wikipedia

  Universal basic income (UBI) is a social welfare proposal in which all citizens of a given population regularly receive a minimum income in the form of an unconditional transfer payment, i.e., without a means test or need to perform work "Work (human activity)"). In contrast, a guaranteed minimum income (GMI) is paid only to those who do not already receive an income that is enough to live on. A UBI would be received independently of any other income. If the level is sufficient to meet a [...] Universal basic Income could help fill the gap left by this "jobs apocalypse." [...] person's basic needs (i.e., at or above the poverty line), it is considered a full basic income; if it is less than that amount, it is called a partial basic income. As of 2025, no country has implemented a full UBI system, but two countries—Mongolia and Iran—have had a partial UBI in the past. There have been numerous pilot projects, and the idea is discussed in many countries. Some have labelled UBI as utopian due to its historical origin.

• Does 'universal basic income' work? These countries are finding out.

  The most comprehensive system is known as universal basic income (UBI). The World Bank defines UBI as follows: “A programme to be delivered in cash, unconditionally and to everyone. Its design features – all in cash, no conditions, and no targeting – challenge current practices to varying degrees.” The World Bank says only a handful of countries have trialled UBI schemes and no country has one in place long-term. [...] When times are hard we could all use a little help. For 30 people in England, a universal basic income (UBI) scheme trial will see them receive $2,046 for the next two years. The trial is being run by the think tank, Autonomy, which is looking to assess the impact of UBI on the lives of recipients. The money is paid in cash and there are no conditions attached. The payment is not means tested and recipients can work while they are receiving the payments.