The survey also found that five out of ten world’s biggest economies are ranked among least trusted countries, with Japan being the least trusted at 37%, Germany at 41% and the UK at 43%. The US and France were also among the least trusted nations because of its institutions with 47% and 48% trust percentages respectively. There was a 9% increase in trust in Argentina as compared to 2024 after the elections of Javier Milei. The report also stated that countries like South Africa, Indonesia, Nigeria and Argentina which recently held national elections or got leadership changes saw an increase in trust.
China had the most trust percentage out of all the countries surveyed at 77% which was a 2% decrease from 2024. It was followed by Indonesia (76%), India (75%), UAE (72%) and Saudi Arabia (71%). The survey also found that 61% of the respondents showed moderate or high sense of grievances meaning that they believe that the governments of their countries are making their lives harder.
The Edelman Trust Barometer 2025 highlights a growing sentiment that governments are increasingly disconnected from the people they are meant to serve. Many believe that governments are forcefully imposing policies without considering public will, prioritizing power retention over genuine governance. This perception is fueled by the lack of moral accountability, as leaders often pursue agendas that benefit political or elite interests rather than addressing the real needs of their citizens. Democratic systems, once seen as pillars of representation, appear broken to many, with declining civic participation reflecting widespread disillusionment. People feel unheard, as governments fail to engage in meaningful dialogue or understand the evolving aspirations of their populations. This crisis of trust suggests a global demand for a new governance model—one that transcends outdated systems and fosters transparency, accountability, and authentic public involvement to restore faith in leadership.
| Country | Election/Leadership Change (Past Year) | Trust Index 2025 (%) | Change from 2024 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No | 77 | -2 |
| Indonesia | Yes | 76 | +3 |
| India | Yes | 75 | 0 |
| UAE | No | 72 | -2 |
| Saudi Arabia | No | 71 | -1 |
| Thailand | Yes | 66 | -4 |
| Malaysia | No | 66 | -2 |
| Singapore | No | 65 | -1 |
| Nigeria | No | 65 | +4 |
| Kenya | No | 63 | -1 |
| Mexico | Yes | 57 | -2 |
| Netherlands | Yes | 57 | +1 |
| South Africa | Yes | 53 | +4 |
| Canada | No | 52 | -1 |
| Brazil | No | 51 | -2 |
| Italy | No | 50 | 0 |
| Sweden | No | 50 | +1 |
| Australia | No | 49 | -2 |
| Colombia | No | 49 | +2 |
| Argentina | Yes | 48 | +9 |
| France | Yes | 48 | +1 |
| Ireland | No | 48 | +1 |
| U.S. | Yes | 47 | +1 |
| Spain | No | 44 | -2 |
| UK | Yes | 43 | +4 |
| Germany | Yes | 41 | -4 |
| South Korea | Yes | 41 | -2 |
| Japan | Yes | 37 | -2 |
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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World
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