Latest news with #GuaranteedBasicIncome
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Countries Testing a Universal Basic Income in 2025
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As global wealth inequality deepens and automation threatens to usher in a new form of technology-driven unemployment, many nations, from the wealthy and industrialized to the still-developing, are providing a basic and unconditional financial floor for some of their citizens. Although no country has fully implemented a nationwide Universal Basic Income (UBI) plan as of July 2025, some continue to experiment with pilot programs or targeted, UBI-like versions known as Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) to address either country-specific or universal issues. These vary in monetary sums, recipients, and intended purposes, but could all lay the groundwork for more widespread adoption in the future, softening the novelty of basic income programs and providing clarity on the fiscal implications of such radical alternatives to traditional welfare models. What Issues Could a Basic Income Solve? According to experts who spoke with Newsweek, beyond alleviating poverty and providing economic stability to those currently underserved by their respective welfare systems, basic income programs would allow citizens to allot their time to other priorities beyond labor. "The social safety net today is still not very safe," Rob Hartley, a professor at the Columbia School of Social Work, told Newsweek. "An income guarantee could provide a real floor to help families get by." Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty "The fundamental issue is ensuring everyone has secure access to enough money to live with dignity, without having to constantly demonstrate that they 'deserve' support," said Canadian health economist and basic income scholar Evelyn Forget. Juliana Bidadanure, the founder of Stanford University's Basic Income Lab, said that unconditional cash transfers would eliminate the costly and time-consuming process of means-testing welfare eligibility. "That suppresses bureaucratically burdensome eligibility tests and protects individuals in poverty from being subject to the discretionary power of state agents," Bidadanure said. "It implements a real right to live free from abject poverty, no questions asked, no paperwork filed." Which Countries Are Testing Basic Income Plans in 2025? According to Stanford's Basic Income Lab, dozens of UBI or GBI programs are currently being implemented across the globe. While primarily in the United States, cities in Africa, Asia, and Europe are trialing the option as a potential solution to gaps in social protection. Basic Income for Farmers, South Korea This new targeted initiative is directed at farmers and fishermen in 24 cities and counties of Gyeonggi Province. Applications can be submitted twice a year, and if successful, some recipients will receive 1.8 million won annually ($1,312), while others will receive 50,000 won monthly. The total number of recipients is estimated to be 210,000, according to the agribusiness data hub Tridge. A 71-year-old local fisherman poses at a port on Baekryeong Island, South Korea, on October 28, 2022. A 71-year-old local fisherman poses at a port on Baekryeong Island, South Korea, on October 28, 2022. Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images This follows several similar programs launched in Korea, such as the Seoul Stepping Stone Project, which ended earlier this year. Analysis of the second-year results conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government found that the initiative, which provided targeted support to families earning less than 85 percent of the median income, found that 8.6 percent of participating households surpassed this threshold, with 31 percent seeing an increase in earned income. Basic Income Pilot for Care Leavers, Wales, United Kingdom The Welsh government is conducting a three-year trial that provides a basic income for young people who have spent time in the foster care system. Participants receive £1,600 ($2,166) before tax monthly for up to two years following their 18th birthday. The pilot began in July 2022 and is scheduled to conclude in November 2026. As of April, over 600 people had taken part in the pilot. According to mid-trial findings from the study published by the government earlier this year, the guaranteed income allowed participants to lead more balanced personal lives and pursue educational opportunities, with many reporting improved mental health. However, some professionals consulted as part of the analysis expressed concern that 18 was too young to receive such a generous basic income, and that this could deter them from pursuing employment. Cash Transfers for Women, India Several initiatives providing unconditional cash transfers to women are ongoing across India, allowing them to cover basic costs and pursue financial independence. States like Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand have implemented such programs, with payments in the largest programs ranging from 1,000 rupees to 2,500, or between roughly $12 and $30. In March, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that the local government approved a 2,500-rupee monthly allowance for eligible women, according to an article in The Indian Express. A study by the Delhi-based think tank Observer Research Foundation found that these can reduce women's unpaid workloads, contribute to food security and household well-being, while "enhancing women's empowerment." The report concluded that these had "strengthened the case for the provision of Universal Basic Income" in India. The Future of Universal Basic Income While similar studies are ongoing globally, numerous barriers exist to their adoption and successful implementation. Evelyn Forget questioned whether the results of such regional studies could be scaled up to predict national-level outcomes. "I have my doubts, frankly, that the statistical robustness exists," she told Newsweek, adding that the results of these often generate "stories" and "narratives" rather than actionable data. However, she said that many programs are scalable, and shed light on what other welfare systems would need to be in place alongside a basic income. Those opposed to universal cash transfers often argue that significant public spending and tax increases would be required to fund these programs, while also pointing to potential inflationary effects that could reduce the "real" value of the received payments. This is in addition to the stigma associated with a government providing its citizens unconditional "freebies." Despite their projected or proven benefits, fiscal and political concerns may continue to slow or even prevent the widespread adoption of UBI and GBI programs in the near future.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
OPINION: OPINION: Renewed hope to lift up Albuquerque families
May 5—In the world's largest economy, the sad reality is that over 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. With rising inflation and record-high living costs, too many Albuquerque families worry about choosing between buying medication or buying groceries. This day-to-day struggle prevents hardworking people from taking the necessary steps to improve their lives. In response to growing needs, the city of Albuquerque has launched a Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) program. GBI recognizes that addressing poverty requires systematic change through direct economic support. This idea isn't new. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and President Richard Nixon supported similar approaches through their writings and policies. Both sides of the political aisle have agreed: When families do well, we all do better. The movement has been reinvigorated in over 150 communities across the country by a national coalition, "Mayors for Guaranteed Income." After months of community organizing and input, Mayor Tim Keller joined this alliance and announced the first Guaranteed Income Initiative for Albuquerque. We're inspired by the GBI programs in Santa Fe and Las Cruces and are excited to bring those proven positive impacts to Albuquerque. Past initiatives have demonstrated that participants in GBI are more likely to find long-term employment, experience stable housing and spend more quality time with their children. Finally approved by the Albuquerque City Council, our GBI program will pave a transformational path forward by addressing wealth and equity gaps in Albuquerque and offer real hope to struggling families through collaborative community leadership. This initiative is being led by community-based organizations, with programming overseen by the New Mexico Black Leadership Council and the Partnership for Community Action. The effort is supported by key partners including Albuquerque Public Schools, Prosperity Works and United Way of North Central New Mexico, which is administering the funds to families. The city of Albuquerque's Office of Equity & Inclusion (OEI) played a central role in bringing these partners together and securing funding to launch the initiative. The work is further supported by the advisory board of OEI's newly established Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE). Here's how it works: Eligible low-income families in the International District (District 6) and the Southwest area (District 3) will receive $750 per month, alongside financial counseling from OFE to help them plan for what comes after the program. The first cohort focuses on families in select elementary schools in underserved areas with high need. To protect privacy and build trust, the city won't collect personal data. Instead, we'll learn about the program's impact through anonymous stories and feedback from participants. At its core, this program is about giving people the tools and trust they need to build a better future. Funding for this initiative comes from the Cannabis Equity & Community Reinvestment Fund. The effort recognizes that cannabis criminalization has disproportionately impacted communities of color. Today, Hispanic, Native and Black populations in Albuquerque experience poverty at rates between 25% and 30%, more than double the 12% poverty rate of individuals who identify as white. This effort is about justice, equity and action. Community members, leaders and city departments came together to design a program that reflects the experiences and voices of those most impacted by systemic inequity. With GBI, Albuquerque is taking an important step toward healing historic wrongs and building a city where more families can thrive. In Albuquerque, we look out for one another. Guaranteed income is one more way we're lifting each other up, laying a stronger foundation for families, and building a more resilient, more united community for us all.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City of Albuquerque doles out First Guaranteed Income payments to families
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The city of Albuquerque is putting dollars directly into the hands of families in need. The Guaranteed Basic Income program provides qualifying families with several hundred dollars a month, no strings attached. Officials say that this program is based on a similar one that launched in Santa Fe three years ago. 'Most people want to improve their situation. Most people want to have a better life. It's really the system that keeps people in the situation that they are in. This shows when you trust and invest in people, people then are able to do better,' emphasized Ivanna Neri, UpTogether's Southwest Partnership Director. In 2022, several local non-profit companies came together with a California organization called Up-Together, providing 330 families across New Mexico with $500 a month for one year. These funds serve as a vital lifeline for families experiencing financial hardships. CABQ now giving First Guaranteed Income payments to families Ivanna Neri worked on that program. 'So people who might be wanting to advance their education or might be wanting to just get into a better job, this is the type of investment that's really helpful for them as they try to move to the next step,' Neri says. The program showed wide-ranging positive impacts on the families involved. Participants saw a 35% decrease in difficulty paying for rent, a 9% increase in children completing their grade level or graduating, and a decrease in unstable work schedules for families. 'What this approach offers is efficiency and also the impact that people are best positioned to make the decisions and choices that work best for themselves and their families,' mentioned Neri. Housing New Mexico launches program aiming to increase affordable housing Albuquerque's program will be supporting families of students in select high-needs public schools, on the west side and the International District. The first cohort will consist of 80 households that will receive monthly guaranteed income support of $750 for three years. 'So some of the things that we learned as we have been exposed not only to the work in New Mexico, but really across the country, is that cash helps stabilize people when it comes to housing, reducing stress, staying in school, caring for children, and covering basic needs,' said Neri. This pathway to economic stability is funded by the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Solution. Over $4 million was appropriated from marijuana taxes. These funds are intended to help cover basic needs to ensure that families are able to attain access and sustain economic stability. Along with the financial assistance, families will receive financial counseling from the Office of Financial Empowerment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
