World’s First Nationwide Universal Basic Income Just Went Live (Marshall Islands) | The Basic Income Show #26

About this episode

The episode discusses the launch of the world's first permanent Universal Basic Income in the Marshall Islands and its implications.

Episode 26 of The Basic Income Show!patreon.com/scottsantensThe Marshall Islands just made history: the world’s first permanent Universal Basic Income (UBI) is now live—paid to every citizen/resident (kids and adults) on an ongoing basis. In this episode of The Basic Income Show, Scott Santens, Conrad Shaw, and Josh Worth break down what’s happening, how it’s funded, and why this is a turning-point moment for global basic income.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro + what’s covered03:18 Marshall Islands launches the world’s first permanent UBI06:36 Payment options (direct deposit / check / USD stablecoin)07:09 How big is the UBI (PPP + share of GDP per capita)09:54 How they’re paying for it (trust fund / sovereign wealth fund)28:34 IMF targeting pressure + VAT (and why UBI changes the math)31:12 Cook County makes guaranteed income permanent (budgeted)36:40 BOOST Act: $250/month UBI in Congress + surtax design47:44 Trump accounts + Dell donation (why this isn’t basic income)58:42 Canada basic income bill advances (process + next steps)1:00:50 Canadian farmers union proposes guaranteed income1:09:54 Oregon unhoused youth: $1,000/month and housing outcomes1:14:58 Madison, WI pilot: $500/mo to…

People in this episode

Host: Scott Santens

Guests: Conrad Shaw, Josh Worth

Topics covered

• Universal Basic Income
• Marshall Islands
• Global Basic Income
• Funding UBI
• Guaranteed Income
• Basic Income Legislation

Keywords

• Universal Basic Income
• Marshall Islands
• funding
• guaranteed income
• IMF
• Congress
• Canada
• Oregon
• Brazil

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: IMF, Cook County, Congress, OpenAI Foundation

Places: Marshall Islands, Canada, Oregon, Madison, WI, Brazil

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• Six New Pilot Programs Show UBI Works | The Basic Income Show · October 8, 2025 · 1h 36m
• Thailand Could Become the 1st Country with a Basic Income Guarantee · September 24, 2025 · 1h 32m
• The Reports of UBI’s Death Are Greatly Exaggerated · September 16, 2025 · 49 min
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