German experiment gave people UBI and on average they kept working full-time \ stacker news ~econ

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German experiment gave people UBI and on average they kept working full-time www.cnn.com/2025/04/11/health/germany-universal-basic-income-study-intl-scli-wellness/index.html

1049 sats \ 14 comments \ @k00b 12 Apr econ

One concern voiced by critics is that receiving a basic income could make people less inclined to work. But the Grundeinkommen study suggests that may not be the case at all. It found that receiving a basic income was not a reason for people to quit their jobs. On average, study participants worked 40 hours a week and stayed in employment – identical to the study’s control group, which received no payment.

Unlike the control group, those receiving a basic income were more likely to change jobs or enrol in further education. They reported greater satisfaction in their working life – and were “significantly” more satisfied with their income.

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170 sats \ 2 replies \ @Signal312 12 Apr

I wouldn't trust this study. It's run by a German NGO called Mein GrundEinkommen - My Basic Income (https://www.mein-grundeinkommen.de/). They're very much in favor of a UBI, the whole website is about how great it is.

There's no way the results from this study would have been any different, run by an organization like this.

Their poster child (https://www.mein-grundeinkommen.de/menschen/4816358) was a veterinarian, had been one for 15 years, and was overworked and unhappy. She quit her job, and then got one of the UBI subsidies. (Or probably that's just what they say. I'm guessing the truth is that she got the subsidy, and THEN quit her job, that would make more sense, because they had said earlier that her family relied on her income).

And then she saw the light, and decided to work full time for "climate change", and sustainable tourism.

47 sats \ 0 replies \ @Undisciplined 13 Apr

You do have to be skeptical of the findings and their interpretation, considering it's from an activist organization. That doesn't mean it's wrong, though.

I would like to see more transparency about their methods, as well as a cost-benefit analysis.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @398ja 13 Apr

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100 sats \ 5 replies \ @Undisciplined 12 Apr

It would be surprising if they kept working full-time at the same rate and enrolled in further education.

I didn't see them report actual wage rates between the two groups. Generally, more job changes would translate into higher wages, but there's a thought that with UBI people would be more willing to sacrifice some wage for jobs they enjoy.

135 sats \ 4 replies \ @Murch 12 Apr

Why is that surprising?

UBI experiments and pilot programs have shown the same results time and again: recipients of UBI use the improved agency to negotiate better employment situations, improve their education, more often take the risk of becoming entrepreneurs, build up savings, deal better with emergencies, spend more on supporting their loved ones, have healthier offspring, are mentally and physically more healthy, and generally happier.

Maybe scroll a bit, read some of the sources if it tickles you: https://bsky.app/profile/scottsantens.com/post/3lckzcleo7s24

42 sats \ 0 replies \ @SimpleStacker 13 Apr

Um, I don't think that's true. One of the largest UBI studies done by NBER economists with over 3,000 participants found that UBI didn't actually improve education or entrepreneurship much.

I haven't done enough of a lit review to reconcile differences between many different studies. If I had to guess, it depends a lot on who you're giving UBI to, and every study has a different study cohort.

42 sats \ 2 replies \ @Undisciplined 12 Apr

It's surprising that they both maintain the same level of employment and pursue more education, while they're less budget constrained. I would expect them to take time off from work, since the income is less urgently needed, and pursue more education/training.

Don't assume I didn't scroll through. I clicked through to the project and read through their findings. I'm just passing along what a labor economist finds surprising about one aspect of this result (which I remain skeptical of, btw). The UBI literature is not nearly as unambiguous as you are implying.

72 sats \ 1 reply \ @Murch 13 Apr

Are you aware of a study or test program that showed an adverse outcome or are you talking about economists in theory not being able to wrap their head around most people wanting to do something with their lives? ;)

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @Undisciplined 13 Apr

Both, I suppose. Although, more lack of significant effects than outright adverse effects.

Often, the studies don’t involve sufficient income to justify much response, though, which is why I thought this one might have more to offer.

36 sats \ 0 replies \ @k00b OP 12 Apr

This reminds me vaguely of my thoughts on financially incentivized Tor, ie abundance doesn't make people villains. Although it lacks the unconditional bit which is probably what's most important here.

15 sats \ 1 reply \ @zapomatic 13 Apr

just throw it all into bitcoin and keep working.

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @teemupleb 13 Apr

The best UBI, building up your personal “strategic reserve”

42 sats \ 0 replies \ @JesseJames 12 Apr

I remember one of those sci-fi flicks where they were describing the concept of money from the future. "What is money they asked?" The teacher responded, back in the 20th century.... lol In their future, there is no money; people just show up and work because they want to. They got educated in the field of their interest and contribute the open-source style. Your work and position will be a position of respect and satisfaction. Sounds commie as hell, but if you really think about it... who da heck knows. Personally I don't want to worry about trivial things like bills, but I have to and I do.... I guess I'm just dreaming, and maybe these folks in Germany know something about that... work, cuz you like it? :-)

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Dkryptoenth 13 Apr

Guten Morgen everyone here, what's good today? 🥰 just a reminder for everyone, work safe & don't forget to stay strong cos that's the only way to beat tough times @k00b @Signal312 @Undisciplined