It also occurs to me that Finland has some semi-”universal” benefits that are at least commonly understood to maintain their popularity exactly because they are paid to everyone who passes a very basic eligibility criteria. In particular, the amount that you’re paid child benefits depends only on the number of underaged children that you have and you being a permanent resident of the country—it’s not tied to your income or any other factors.
I’ve often seen it claimed that the system enjoys wide support exactly because it’s universal for all parents, so everyone who has children has a reason to be in favor. Some people do feel like it should be made less universal, but mostly in the direction of “what’s the point of giving it to those who are already the wealthiest and don’t need the extra money”—I don’t recall hearing anyone saying that it should be restricted because of some of the recipients being Really Bad People.
Finland also has housing allowance which feels pretty UBI-like to me, since anyone with a low enough income (and who is a permanent resident) is eligible to get it to cover part of their housing expenses.
It also occurs to me that Finland has some semi-”universal” benefits that are at least commonly understood to maintain their popularity exactly because they are paid to everyone who passes a very basic eligibility criteria. In particular, the amount that you’re paid child benefits depends only on the number of underaged children that you have and you being a permanent resident of the country—it’s not tied to your income or any other factors.
I’ve often seen it claimed that the system enjoys wide support exactly because it’s universal for all parents, so everyone who has children has a reason to be in favor. Some people do feel like it should be made less universal, but mostly in the direction of “what’s the point of giving it to those who are already the wealthiest and don’t need the extra money”—I don’t recall hearing anyone saying that it should be restricted because of some of the recipients being Really Bad People.
Finland also has housing allowance which feels pretty UBI-like to me, since anyone with a low enough income (and who is a permanent resident) is eligible to get it to cover part of their housing expenses.