Germany launches Basic Income: 1,200 euros per month for doing nothing

This Tuesday, June 1, 2021, Germany has launched a pilot project to find out the effect of the Unconditional Basic Income. More than two million citizens of the country signed up to participate, and 122 have been selected. They will receive 1,200 euros a month for doing absolutely nothing beyond completing seven online questionnaires over the next three years. In addition, 1,380 people will complete a series of questionnaires every six months. They will not receive the basic income, although they will receive an allowance for expenses, but where does the money come from for this initiative? From 150,000 private donors. The 122 people selected to receive the Unconditional Basic Income in Germany will earn 1,200 euros per month for the next three years. In total each one will receive 43,200 euros, and 5.2 million euros will be donated financed by a non-profit association based in Berlin. The association in question has been baptized as ‘My Basic Income’, and the promoters defend that if citizens received money without any condition, many of the problems that currently exist in society would be solved. They are convinced that people’s quality of life would improve considerably since there would be no such pressure to earn enough money to survive. The study director, Jürgen Schupp, wants to analyze what people do when they have « material security »for three years. This pilot project will help them find out if they spend the money or save it, if they stop working or reduce their working hours, if they become more supportive and donate more … One of the main questions that the research seeks to answer has to do with the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation of the people who get paid 1.200 euros per month. Jürgen Schupp explains that perhaps the beneficiaries are more courageous when making decisions related to their working life. Basic Income in Switzerland Switzerland tried to establish a Basic Income for its inhabitants, but they rejected the measure in a referendum. This happened in 2016, when the Government proposed an income of 2,250 euros for each citizen, regardless of their employment status. Those under 18 would also receive 625 euros every month. However, the Swiss ruled out the basic salary at the polls with 78% of the votes.The average gross salary in Switzerland amounts to 4,500 euros per month, and a large part of the population saw this proposal as a danger to the economic system and for the welfare society.