Scott SantensSep 23, 2025

Ireland just released a report showing the huge success of the unconditional basic income it provided to artists. Each $1 spent led to society gaining $1.39. Artists' earned incomes went up more than their side job incomes fell. And they were happier and used less welfare

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/press-releases/basic-income-for-the-arts-pilot-produced-over-100-million-in-social-and-economic-benefits/

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@scottsantens Alt text:

Text snippet from the linked article: “For every € 1 of public money invested in the pilot, society received € 1.39 in return. The net cost of the BIA pilot went from € 105 m to under € 72 m due to tax generated and savings on social welfare payments.”

Another text snippet from the linked article: “It also finds that recipients’ arts-related income increased by over € 500 per month on average, while their income from non-arts work decreased by around € 280. Dependence on social protection declined, with recipients receiving € 100 less per month on average, and 38 percentage points less likely to receive Jobseeker’s payments.”
Sep 23, 2025 at 6:52pmWeb