Impact of Universal Basic Income on Employment According to Russian Experts

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17059/ekon.reg.2022-1-12

Abstract

The issue of universal basic income (UBI) has been gaining importance due to the growth of precarious employment, unemployment and inequality in the context of the development of digital technologies, especially considering the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences. The article first presents the generalised and systemised reasoned opinions of Russian experts on UBI in order to examine its potential impact on employment. The initial research data resulted from a survey of different groups of Russian experts conducted by the authors. This information was supplemented by the results of various mass surveys. It was revealed that a significant part of Russian experts have concerns that UBI can negatively affect work incentives and labour supply. The systematisation of expert assessments allowed the research to create scenarios of the potential impact of UBI on population employment and work incentives, formal and informal employment, the ratio between paid and unpaid work, working and free time, the quality of leisure time. The study findings can be used as information and analytical support for the state policies aimed at improving the level and quality of life of the population, as well as making decisions on the appropriateness of UBI tools (including in Russia). Future research will examine in detail the impact of universal basic income on the labour market parameters, taking into account socio-demographic factors.

Author Biographies

Vyacheslav N. Bobkov, Institute of Socio-Economic Studies of Population of FCTAS RAS

Dr. Sci. (Econ.), Professor, Honoured Science Worker of the Russian Federation, Head of the Laboratory for Issues of the Standards and Quality of Life, Institute of Socio-Economic Studies of Population of FCTAS RAS; Director, Research Center of Labour Economics, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics; Scopus Author ID: 55960509800; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7364-5297 (32, Nakhimovskiy Ave., Moscow, 117218; 36, Stremyannyy Lane, Moscow, 117997, Russian Federation; e-mail: bobkovvn@mail.ru).

Elena V. Odintsova , Institute of Socio-Economic Studies of Population of FCTAS RAS

Cand. Sci. (Econ.), Leading Research Associate, Laboratory for Issues of the Standards and Quality of Life, Institute of Socio-Economic Studies of Population of FCTAS RAS; Leading Research Associate, Research Center of Labour Economics, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics; Scopus Author ID: 57190408814; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7906-8520 (32, Nakhimovskiy Ave., Moscow, 117218; 36, Stremyannyy Lane, Moscow, 117997, Russian Federation; e-mail: odin_ev@mail.ru).

Ekaterina A. Chernykh, Institute of Socio-Economic Studies of Population of FCTAS RAS

Cand. Sci. (Econ.), Leading Research Associate, Laboratory for Issues of the Standards and Quality of Life, Institute of Socio-Economic Studies of Population of FCTAS RAS; Leading Research Associate, Research Center of Labour Economics, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6970-487X (32, Nakhimovskiy Ave., 117218, Moscow, Russian Federation; e-mail: chernykh.ekaterina108@gmail.com).

Published

31.03.2022

How to Cite

Bobkov, V. N. . ., Odintsova , E. V. ., & Chernykh, E. A. (2022). Impact of Universal Basic Income on Employment According to Russian Experts. Economy of Regions, 18(1), 159–174. https://doi.org/10.17059/ekon.reg.2022-1-12

Issue

Section

Research articles