The Evidence Is Overwhelming: Universal Basic Income Works

In an article on a new universal basic income program in Durham, NC, Abt’s Anna Jefferson was asked to summarize research findings to date on the effectiveness of such programs. While there’s still much to be learned about how best to successfully implement long-term guaranteed income (GI) programs, initial findings have been positive across geographies and cohorts. 

Typically characterized as “no strings attached” payments to low-income program participants, the article describes the likely political difficulties of implementing GI nationally. Noting that "we have a higher degree of inequality now than we did before the Great Depression," Anna added that GI "is reducing the need for food assistance or housing subsidies or criminal justice systems or burdens on healthcare systems, it may be something that pays for itself," implying that if current studies demonstrate continued success, the willingness to embrace GI may grow.