How did COVID-19 Social Security Measures Resemble Universal Basic Income? A Comparative Study of OECD Countries

Abstract

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, governments were mainly relaying on pre-pandemic policies when introducing changes to social policies. However, the crisis did lead to transformative action as well. In this article, we explored the novel direct payments, delivered beyond existing social risk categories such as unemployment or sickness. Our exploration demonstrates that most Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries did not introduce novel payments. Exceptions were Australia, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Israel, Italy, Japan, Spain, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Seven countries also continued and modified payments while the crisis continued. All the novel direct payments met some of the characteristics of universal basic income (UBI). The idea of universality was realised in Japan and South Korea. The key findings of this study suggest that the COVID-19-related novel direct payments were primarily emergency benefits for people affected by the pandemic and interpreted as quasi-basic income in times of crisis.

Exploring Theories and Social Policy Changes During COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In a previous study, was (Mäntyneva & Hiilamo, 2024) evidenced that novel direct payments shared some commonalities across OECD countries. As discussed above, thematically responses were analysed in three groups, crossing welfare regime boundaries.…”

“…Beyond traditional risk categories, direct payments were targeted to a significant share of the people or all citizens and residents. Novel direct payments were examined in a separate empirical study covering all OECD countries (Mäntyneva & Hiilamo, 2024). The main conclusion from the study was that while most OECD countries did not introduce novel payments beyond general social risk pooling, 11 countries did introduce new income transfers.…”

“…Using all OECD countries as a study sample, we also examined the path creation perspective among novel measures (Mäntyneva & Hiilamo, 2024). Novel direct payments were defined as one-off, or periodic (time-bounded or open-ended) benefits delivered beyond social risk categories such as unemployment or sickness.…”

“…Changes also addressed best practices that were particularly evidenced in building bridges through the crisis with employment promotion measures that were analysed using a capability approach. Direct one-off payments proved an efficient way to balance socioeconomic situations in various OECD countries while some periodical direct payments shared innovative features with universal basic income in emergencies as a quasi-basic income (Mäntyneva & Hiilamo, 2024).…”

Assessing the impact of a safety income model as an alternative approach to universal basic income: a case study in South Korea

“…The idea of providing an unconditional, regular income to all citizens, regardless of income level or employment status, has gained traction in both Global North and Global South context. The surge of interest has been further amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic experience, prompting governments worldwide to reevaluate social safety nets (De Wispelaere and Morales, 2021;M€ antyneva and Hiilamo, 2024). While the theoretical promise of UBI is tantalizing, the practical implications of its implementation remain a subject of ongoing debate.…”