Finland trials basic income for unemployed

Finland became the first country in the world to start in January 2017 a practical experiment whereby it would pay a small sample of unemployed citizens an unconditional monthly sum.

The first stage of the Finnish basic income experiment was launched in January 2017. The purpose of the two-year experiment is to see if a basic income can help to boost employment.

The experiment is conducted among 2,000 persons between ages 25 and 58, who will receive a monthly basic income of €560 for two years. The participants were selected in December 2016 by random sample.

ESO: Background information: Finland to test unconditional basic income for Finns in 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/finland-to-test-unconditional-basic-income-for-finns-in-2017/

ESO: Background information: Basic income: Arguments, evidence, prospects http://www.europeansources.info/record/basic-income-arguments-evidence-prospects/

Finland: Prime Minister's Office: Press Release, 16.12.16: Research group recommends expansion of basic income experiment http://vnk.fi/en/article/-/asset_publisher/tutkimusryhma-suosittelee-perustulokokeilun-laajentamista

Kela: About Kela: Research: Research projects: Experimental study on a universal basic income http://www.kela.fi/web/en/experimental-study-on-a-universal-basic-income

Euro|Topics: Debates, January 2017: Can the basic income work? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/172243/can-the-basic-income-work

ESO: Background information: Basic income experiment in Finland http://www.europeansources.info/record/basic-income-experiment-in-finland/

Kela: Press Release, 02.01.17: Basic income experiment launched in Finland http://www.kela.fi/web/en/press-releases-media/-/asset_publisher/iOlErAd3fOTY/content/basic-income-experiment-launched-in-finland

Kela: Basic Income Experiment 2017–2018 http://www.kela.fi/web/en/basic-income-experiment-2017-2018

BIEN: Basic Income News, 07.01.17: Helsinki, Finland, Socially Innovative Finland – livestreamed event http://basicincome.org/news/2017/01/helsinki-finland-socially-innovative-finland-livestreamed-event-jan-12/

EurActiv, 10.01.17: Finland first in Europe to take basic income plunge http://www.euractiv.com/section/social-europe-jobs/news/finland-first-in-europe-to-take-basic-income-plunge/

The Conversation, 09.01.17: How Finland could see benefits from its basic income experiment https://theconversation.com/how-finland-could-see-benefits-from-its-basic-income-experiment-70955

YLE: News, 09.01.17: Finland's basic income experiment begins: one man looks forward to a new start http://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/finlands_basic_income_experiment_begins_one_man_looks_forward_to_a_new_start/9394707

Politico, 25.01.17: Finland experiments with giving away free money http://www.politico.eu/article/basic-income-finland-experiments-with-giving-away-free-money/

CAPX, 30.01.17: Why universal basic income is a particularly bad idea https://capx.co/why-universal-basic-income-is-a-particularly-bad-idea/?omhide=true

openDemocracy, 03.01.17: Finland experiments with a basic income scheme for unemployed https://www.opendemocracy.net/dylan-brethour/finland-experiments-with-basic-income-scheme-for-unemployed

The Guardian, 19.02.17: Is Finland’s basic universal income a solution to automation, fewer jobs and lower wages? https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/feb/19/basic-income-finland-low-wages-fewer-jobs

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