Part 3/9:
Unveiling the Study’s Methodology and Key Findings
How Would People Utilize Additional Income?
A central question posed by the study was: How would recipients spend an extra $1,000 a month? The top categories included housing, food, healthcare, childcare, education, energy, and transportation. The findings reinforce current inflation trends, with soaring costs particularly evident in housing and food.
Recipients reported increased spending on essential needs, reflecting a reduction in financial stress. Notably, there was a 20% decrease in problematic drinking and over half of the participants reported reduced use of non-prescribed painkillers. These behavioral shifts suggest that financial stability provided by UBI enables healthier choices and self-care.