German Basic Income Experiment Shows Remarkable Results

Dear Friend,

We're excited to share groundbreaking results from Germany's "Pilotprojekt Grundeinkommen" experiment, which shows recipients maintained their employment levels while experiencing significant improvements in mental health and life satisfaction. Detailed findings from this crucial study that challenges the "social hammock" myth are available below.

We cordially invite you to join our upcoming online event on 10 May 2025, at 2:00 PM CET, featuring a keynote speech by Steven Forti, lecturer at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and expert on contemporary far-right movements. His presentation will address the crucial question: "Can UBI contribute to countering the growing far-right hegemony in Europe and beyond?" The keynote will be followed by an open debate on the future of the UBI movement across Europe. This is an excellent opportunity to engage with thought leaders and fellow advocates on UBI's potential role in addressing current political challenges. Please register here if you plan to attend!

Yours unconditionally,

Dániel Fehér, UBIE Vice-Chair

on behalf of the UBIE Core Group

German Basic Income Experiment Debunks the "Social Hammock" Myth

The results from Germany's groundbreaking "Pilotprojekt Grundeinkommen" have been released, delivering powerful evidence that contradicts one of the most persistent criticisms of basic income: that it discourages work.

In this landmark study, 107 individuals received €1,200 monthly for three years while researchers tracked various outcomes. Contrary to the "social hammock" stereotype, recipients didn't withdraw from the labor market or significantly reduce their working hours. Instead, they maintained their employment while experiencing substantial improvements in mental health, purpose in life, and life satisfaction.

The study also revealed that recipients saved about 37% of the payments, showing prudent financial planning, and spent approximately 7% on charitable causes or supporting family and friends. According to Miriam Witz from Mein Grundeinkommen, "The UBI positively affected mental health – the effect is comparable to therapy!" Jürgen Schupp from the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) noted that these findings show UBI could function as a "resilience instrument" that strengthens citizens' socioeconomic security.

Read our full interview with Miriam With and Jürgen Schupp on the UBIE website: Debunking the Social Hammock Myth: German Basic Income Experiment Shows Remarkable Results

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BIEN Congress 2025: Early Bird Registration Closing Soon

Discounted registration to this year's BIEN Congress 2025 (August 27-29 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) with the theme "Basic Income & Solidarity Economy: New Horizons for Social Protection". BIEN invites you to debate basic income, solidarity economy and social protection policies in Brazil, home to some of the most important UBI-inspired initiatives. Maricá's pioneering experience has inspired eight other cities in Rio de Janeiro to adopt similar cash transfer policies or create their own local currencies, including Niterói.

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