This month Finland is embarking on a radical economic
experiment. Its government is giving 2,000 people free money
for two years, guaranteeing them a minimum income. The
participants – selected at random from people receiving
welfare – will each get 560 euros ($600) a month and they
will continue to receive the money even if they get a job.

Not everyone likes the idea, however. A referendum in
Switzerland last year rejected a proposal to give 2,500 Swiss
francs ($2,418) a month to every adult and a quarter of that
amount to children. Those who opposed the plan argued that
it would be unaffordable and would encourage people to drop
out of work, especially those with low-paid manual jobs. Who
would choose to be a cleaner or a rubbish collector if they did
not have to?

At the same time, the Finnish trial has also been criticised for
not being bold enough . The 560 euros given to participants
each month will not go far in a country like Finland, where the
cost of living is high.

www.bbc.com/future/story/20170118-what-if-the-state-provided-everyone-with-a-basic-income