Kenya's Universal Basic Income Experiment: Key Findings and Implications

The first findings from a universal basic income experiment in Kenya, conducted by charity GiveDirectly, have been released. The study provided cash grants of $50 per month for 12 years to thousands of villagers, comparing their outcomes to control groups. The results showed that giving cash aid in a lump sum had major advantages, with recipients starting more businesses and earning higher revenues compared to those receiving monthly installments. The study also found that the universal nature of the aid increased its impact, and the grants did not fuel inflation. The long-term effects of lump-sum payments are still being studied.