the rural basic income pilot will be implemented in seven regions starting in 2026. learn more about who will receive $150 per month, how to apply, and which regions will be selected.
table of contents
- overview of the rural basic income pilot
- what are the seven selected regions?
- who will receive the basic income and under what conditions
- how much and how it's paid
- can foreigners receive it?
- future plans and outlook for the program
- frequently asked questions
the rural basic income pilot project will finally begin
good news for rural areas struggling with a declining population and aging population: the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs has announced that the Rural Basic Income Pilot Project will begin in earnest in 2026. The project aims to revitalize local economies and support the economic stability of residents who have endured harsh conditions.
it is a large-scale project that will cost a total of 890 billion won, with 40 percent of the total budget coming from national funds and the rest from city and military expenses. as it targets depopulated areas designated under the Special Act on National Balanced Development, it is expected to become a key pillar of the government's policy to counter rural decline.
what are the seven selected regions?
the government held an open call for 99 depopulated regions, of which 49 applied. An expert evaluation committee was formed to comprehensively assess the risk of depopulation, the potential for development, and the effectiveness of introducing basic income, and the final seven counties were selected.
the selected counties are
yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do; Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do; Cheongyang-gun, Chungcheongnam-do; Sunchang-gun, Jeollabuk-do; Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do; Yeongnung-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do; and Namhae-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. Each region is experiencing a severe population decline and aging population, and rural revitalization policies were urgently needed.
declining population areas are officially designated every five years by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety under Article 2 (9) of the Special Act on National Balanced Development, and are places where there are concerns about the decline in regional vitality due to population decline.
who is eligible for the rural basic income?
residents of the seven selected counties are eligible for the basic income, regardless of age. however, there are a few conditions.
you must have registered to move to the area and actually live there for at least 30 days - it's not enough to just move your residency, you must go through a process to verify your residency, which will be done by the local township committee or village head.
this is to prevent people from simply moving to a new neighborhood just to receive basic income, and to support people who are actually living in the neighborhood.
how much can you get
selected local residents will receive $150,000 per month per person for two years starting in 2026. the reason for the payment in local love vouchers rather than cash is to promote local consumption and revitalize the local economy.
in particular, Shi'an-gun, Jeollanam-do, will receive a monthly payment of 200,000 won per person by adding 50,000 won for military expenses to the basic 150,000 won. in the case of Sinan-gun, the county is using its own budget to strengthen income support for residents.
calculated based on a family of four, they will receive 600,000 won per month and 7.2 million won per year in local love vouchers. in Sinyan-gun, they will receive 800,000 won per month and 9.6 million won per year, which is expected to help the household economy.
can foreigners receive the rural basic income?
yes, foreigners can receive the basic income if they meet certain requirements. permanent residents, marriage immigrants, and parents of Korean minor children are eligible.
multicultural families who are not registered as residents can also receive the payment after going through a separate verification process. this shows the government's commitment to providing comprehensive support to all residents living in rural areas.
rural areas tend to have a high proportion of multicultural families, and they are important members of the local community, so it makes sense to support them without discrimination.
will the program be expanded?
the government plans to run the pilot project for two years and analyze its performance before deciding whether to expand the program. it will comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of revitalizing the local economy, attracting and retaining population, and resident satisfaction.
the timing of the program has yet to be determined, but if the pilot program is successful and proves to have positive effects, it will likely be expanded to depopulated areas across the country.
policy makers at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Rural Affairs are hopeful that the pilot project could serve as a new model for dealing with rural depopulation.
frequently asked questions
Q1. When will I start receiving the rural basic income?
A. It will start in 2026. residents of the seven selected regions will receive monthly vouchers from the beginning of next year.
Q2. Can I receive the basic income even if I receive other welfare benefits?
A. Yes, you can. the rural basic income is a universal support policy, meaning that anyone who lives in the area can receive it, regardless of whether they receive other welfare benefits.
Q3. Where can I use the Local Love Gift Certificate?
A. You can use it at merchants in your local area. they can be used like cash at local supermarkets, restaurants, shops, and more, and are restricted to local use only to support the local economy.
Q4. How do I check the 30-day residency requirement?
A. The local town and village committees or mayors will verify whether you are living in the area. you will go through a process to verify that you are actually living in the area after declaring your move.
Q5. How do I apply for basic income in Cheongyang-gun or Yeoncheon-gun?
A. The specific application method will be announced separately by each local county government in early 2026. if you live in the area, please check the county government's website or resident centers for announcements.
closing remarks
the rural basic income pilot project is expected to be a new turning point in the policy of supporting depopulated areas. it is expected to provide substantial income support to the residents of the seven selected regions and revitalize the local economy.
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