English

Support for a universal basic income (UBI) varies by age and political party. According to a poll taken in September, 72 percent of registered voters ages 18 to 34 support a UBI program, while only 26 percent of those ages 65 and older do. Democrats are more likely to support the policy than Republicans. Overall, support for universal basic income rose from 43 percent in March to 49 percent in September.

Sources: Tess Bonn, “Voter support for universal basic income grows: poll,” The Hill, Sept. 25, 2019, https://tinyurl.com/y44sz942; Matthew Sheffield, “Poll: Younger voters want universal basic income while older ones reject it overwhelmingly,” The Hill, March 22, 2019, https://tinyurl.com/y3q8qstp

Data for the graphic are as follows:

Category Percentage of Support in March 2019

Percentage of Support in September 2019

All Registered Voters

43% 49%

Ages 18 to 34

55% 72%

Ages 35 to 49

57% 58%

Ages 50 to 64

38% 37%

Ages 65+ 21% 26%

Republicans 27% 30%

Democrats 54% 66%

Independents 44% 48%