Critics argue that, since the program provides non-taxable income without any employment requirements, recipients receive free money without incentives for work, which hinders the economic output and development of the island,[7][24] especially when Puerto Rico's employment participation and unemployment rates have been consistently inferior to U.S. national levels,[25] while the average aid provided in Puerto Rico has exceeded the U.S. national average ($94 versus $74.79, respectively; 2001 estimate).[4] Because of this, Puerto Rico has been called the "welfare island".[7] People from the Dominican Republic do many of the jobs in Puerto Rico that pay too little to attract the locals.[7] However, proponents of the program argue that Puerto Rico's social condition is in far worse shape than any of the 50 U.S. states.[26] Approximately half of the island's population lives below the U.S. Federal poverty guidelines,[6][27][28] and many have difficulties in meeting their nutritional needs due to increasing inflation and economic stagnation in the island. Furthermore, the relation between the NAP program's benefits and the low employment participation and high unemployment rates has not been studied, and there is no consensus on their actual causes.[29]