Young people: Unconditional basic income encourages entrepreneurship

Two HAK students conducted a survey on the unconditional basic income for their diploma thesis. The result: young people would be more likely to become self-employed.

Vienna (OTS) – Once a utopia that was ridiculed, today it is being seriously discussed: the unconditional basic income is a topic for discussion in politics and business. But how does the generation that might experience a basic income system think about it? There is no current data on this in Austria. The HAK students Paul Pinter and Jakub Kozlinski therefore started a survey among upper school students in Vienna and Lower Austria on behalf of the “Generation Basic Income” association.

Kozlinski and Pinter, both 19 years old, are completing their HAK training at the Vienna Business School in Floridsdorf this year. The Matura includes a diploma thesis on an economic topic. Her thought: Why not even touch a “hot” iron?

The concept of the unconditional basic income basically means that a society guarantees all members a regular amount to be able to live high enough humanely, but in contrast to today, without the obligation to provide something in return – such as proof of need, unemployment or illness. And: Any additional income would not reduce the basic income.

656 opinions, one clear trend: starting a business? With BGE rather yes.

And what do young people think about the UBI? 656 high school students in Vienna and Lower Austria were surveyed. Even if it is not a representative survey, the number of data sets is considerable and the result offers food for thought.

“How likely are you to achieve your goals for the future with a UBI?” was another question. Here, 68% of those surveyed are convinced that they will “certainly” or “probably” be successful with a UBI.

What are those goals now? 63% expect this to give them “the greatest possible independence”. Almost 40% would turn their hobby into a job with a BGE. And almost 33% would rather dare to found a company with a basic income.

A basic income apparently also creates a kind of basic self-confidence: 50% of those surveyed are certain that they can negotiate a better salary with the UBI behind them. Precisely because they are not dependent on their job for better or for worse.

Work less with a UBI? “I don’t, the others do.”

The two HAK graduates found the answers to the question about a possible change in work ethic after the introduction of a BGE amusing: “The vast majority would work more or the same amount under a BGE. However, at the same time, they believe that others would work less.”

Summary: “Hot issues” sometimes show surprising aspects for the economy

“Of course, some things would have to change in the economy in general so that an unconditional basic income can be introduced,” says HAK graduate Paul Pinter. “Salaries in the low-wage sector in particular would have to be increased in order to create an incentive to continue working,” adds Jakub Kozlinski.

In any case, the two are convinced: “The unconditional basic income as a possible motivational boost for starting a business is an exciting aspect that is worth taking a closer look at.”

The Vienna Business School is operated by the Vienna Merchants Fund. The director of the fund, KommR Helmut Schramm, commented on the survey: “At our six locations, students are encouraged to think “outside the box”. The results of the professionally conducted survey show once again that attacking “hot topics” can bring surprising results in terms of the economy.”

About the Vienna Business School and the fund of the Vienna Merchants’ Association.

Under the Vienna Business School umbrella brand, the Viennese business community fund operates six school locations, five of which are in Vienna and one in Lower Austria. This makes it the second largest private school operator in Austria. The training courses offered by the Vienna Business School range from commercial academies and commercial schools to advanced courses. The elite forge of the economy gives young talents an excellent basis for a successful professional future. In addition, the fund of the Viennese merchant community offers senior living at the highest level with the “Park Residenz Döbling”. You can find more information at www.vienna-business-school.at and www.kaufmannschaft.com.