A Basic Income is a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all on an individual basis, without means-test or work requirement.

UBIdata: Data for Basic Income Research and Policy

At its most recent congress, BIEN launched UBIdata, an innovative new tool with a mission to match reliable information about basic income with a rapidly growing global user base of individuals and organisations eager to learn more. UBIdata gathers, processes and...

Rentier Capitalism, the Precariat and Basic Income for China

Throughout history, capitalism has evolved, changing character and changing the class structure defining each era. The changes in the 20th century can be understood by reference to what Karl Polanyi called the Great Transformation. Briefly, in his formulation, in the 19th century, mainly in Britain, there was an initial period in the evolution of industrial capitalism that was dominated by financial capital, in which old systems of distribution, regulation and social protection were dismantled, in what we would call the pursuit of a ‘free market economy’. 

Taiwan Makes History with Universal Cash Payment Plan

Taiwan is making history by sending out a one-time universal cash payment of $6,000 New Taiwan dollars (NTD) to every citizen “young and old.” This is the first time the country has implemented such a policy, and it comes as a result of excess tax revenue of $450...

Join Hands & Hearts With BIEN

A convergence of various circumstances in the 21st century has made a Basic Income policyan achievable goal. Discussions and policy debates about Basic Income are taking place in countries across the world. We see this as an incredible opportunity for BIEN to...

This South Korean Presidential Election is Vital

There are rare moments when a combination of threatening circumstances leads to a wonderful transformation that only a short time before would have been unimaginable. This year may be such a moment. The Republic of Korea could set an example to the world that would...

The Royal Society of Arts Explains: [2 minutes]

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BIEN Congresses

The 24th BIEN CONGRESS in Maricá & Niterói – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 27-29 August 2025

Call for Papers Announcement: Nov. 2024

Linkedin, Instagram, X  – biencongress25 (at) gmail [dot] com

BIEN2024 was August 29–31 (Pictures and more coming soon)


Basic Income

A Basic Income is a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all on an individual basis, without means-test or work requirement. Read more


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Recent News, Opinion, and Research

Basic income as an innovative social protection tool

Basic income as an innovative social protection tool

As a tool that speaks to 7 out of the 17 SDGs, basic income pilots have shown transformative effects in communities. This blog post calls for a systematic consideration of this tool in social protection schemes across humanitarian, development and peacebuilding...

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EC 2024 Report

EC 2024 Report

1. Chair and Vice-Chair Report 2. Treasurer Report 3. Secretary Report 4. Hubs Coordinator Report 5. Research Coordinator Report 6. Social Media, Features Editor, News Editor Reports 7. Affiliates Coordinator Report Table of Contents  To read the full report, click...

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A US Basic Income Experiment that Wasn’t

A US Basic Income Experiment that Wasn’t

By Guy Standing In July 2024, the National Bureau of Economic Research issued a report from the researchers on an income-transfer project conducted in Illinois and Texas. It has generated global attention, with some commentators saying it undermines the case for basic...

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Final Report on Los Angeles Guaranteed Income Pilot

Final Report on Los Angeles Guaranteed Income Pilot

"In October 2021, former Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the Basic Income Guaranteed: Los Angeles Economic Assistance Pilot (BIG:LEAP) program. Benefitting just over 3,200 households, the program provided $1,000 per month in unconditional cash payments for 12 months to...

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BIEN Members: Register for the August 30 General Assembly!

BIEN Members: Register for the August 30 General Assembly!

We have the pleasure of inviting you to our annual General Assembly (GA), scheduled for 30 August at 1pm British Summer Time (UTC+1), taking place online and on the sidelines of BIEN's Annual Congress. We kindly ask you to register online through Eventbrite to be able...

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Four years of U.S. Mayors for a Guaranteed Income

Four years of U.S. Mayors for a Guaranteed Income

"MGI was founded in June 2020 with 11 members. The Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED), which was announced in 2017 and implemented in 2019, had proven Mayor Michael Tubbs’s assumption that low-income residents would use the money on basic...

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