Finland has initiated a pilot social experiment whereby a randomly selected group of 2,000 unemployed individuals are entitled to a constant and non-conditional monthly ‘basic income’ of 560 euros (£480).
That payment replaces the usual unemployment benefit conditional on not working. Thus, the selected group of individuals, or ‘treatment group’ as scholars say, can take on paid work, and the payment of 560 euros is not affected.
The goal of the experiment is to gather information on the behavioural response of the treatment group. After two years, researchers will be able to analyze data on the employment status, worked hours and earnings of this group and compare its behaviour with that of other unemployed individuals.
