What is Basic income?
[[File:Basic Income, a new human right.webm|thumb|A short film that explains UBI]] A '''universal basic income''' ('''UBI''') or simply '''basic income''' is a [[social program]] in which all citizens of a population regularly receive a sum of [[money]] from the government.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Clifford|first=Catherine|date=2019-06-27|title=Why everyone is talking about free cash handouts—an explainer on universal basic income|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/27/free-cash-handouts-what-is-universal-basic-income-or-ubi.html|access-date=2021-05-25|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref> A pure or unconditional basic income has no [[means test]], much like [[Social Security]] in the United States. Basic income can be implemented nationally, regionally or locally. The idea gained attention in recent years because people fear that [[technology]] will make many jobs obsolete in the future. The idea has never been put in place by any country yet, but there have been some experimental trials. In a 2016 survey, 64% of Europeans voted for an UBI.<ref>{{cite web|date=23 May 2016|title=EU Survey: 64% of Europeans in Favour of Basic Income|url=http://www.basicincome.org/news/2016/05/europe-eu-poll-basic-income-support/|access-date=5 June 2016|publisher=Basicincome.org|archive-date=26 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526160932/http://www.basicincome.org/news/2016/05/europe-eu-poll-basic-income-support/|url-status=dead}}</ref> == Concept == An UBI is an income for everyone. There would be neither a social administrative means test nor a requirement of willingness to work. On the other hand, tax- and contribution-financed social benefits like unemployment benefit, social assistance or child benefit would no longer apply. The incomes would be: * '''Unconditional''': The sum of an UBI could vary with age, but with no other conditions. Everyone of the same age would receive the same income. Regardless of their gender, employment status, family structure, contribution to society, housing costs, or anything else. *