Universal Basic Income (UBI) is the idea of providing every person with a regular, unconditional payment to help cover basic needs and support a life with dignity. It is also known as unconditional basic income, basic income, guaranteed income, or a basic income guarantee. Unlike many traditional welfare programs, UBI is not based on employment status or a means test: it is designed as a foundation available to everyone.
Different countries and regions have explored policies related to basic income in different ways. Some programs focus on children, pensions, or low-income households, while others test broader unconditional payments. Examples often discussed in the basic income debate include the Alaska Permanent Fund, negative income tax proposals, and pilot programs that study how direct payments affect poverty, wellbeing, work, and personal freedom.
UBI is also connected to major conversations about automation, artificial intelligence, the future of work, and economic security. Supporters argue that a basic income can reduce poverty, protect people during transitions, and give individuals more freedom to study, care for others, create, or start new projects. For UBI NOW®, the message is simple: everyone deserves the chance to meet their essential needs and live with dignity.
