India has seen a decline in its trust levels, slipping to third place in the annual Edelman Trust Barometer. This study, which evaluates trust in government, businesses, media, and NGOs, highlights a significant gap between the trust levels of the low-income and high-income population.
The 25th edition of the report was released ahead of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, and the results suggest a concerning trend.
India's ranking has dropped from second place to third, following Indonesia, which has risen to the second spot. China continues to hold the top position for trust in government, business, media, and NGOs globally.
The survey also revealed that India ranked 13th when it came to trust in foreign-headquartered companies. Canada, Japan, and Germany topped the list, with India falling behind countries like Mexico, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil.
One of the most striking findings of the report is the divide between trust levels in different income groups. In most countries, including India, individuals from the low-income group tend to trust institutions far less than their wealthier counterparts.
In India, the high-income group exhibited a trust level of around 80%, while the low-income group’s trust stood at just 65%. This disparity in trust levels suggests a divide in how different segments of society perceive the government's actions, business integrity, and media reliability.
Despite the overall decline in trust, India remains one of the most trusted countries among developing nations. China, Indonesia, and the UAE were also ranked highly. In fact, India’s trust score of 75% places it above many major developed economies, including Japan, the UK, and the US.
This signals that while there is a lack of trust in the government and institutions, India’s citizens continue to have faith in their nation’s leadership compared to other global powers.
The Edelman Trust Barometer also revealed troubling global trends. There has been an increase in the acceptance of hostile activism and violence as a means for societal change.
The survey highlighted that one in four people globally approved of the use of disinformation and violence to achieve political goals, particularly among younger generations. This marks a significant shift in the way people view activism and protest methods.
The report further emphasized growing disillusionment with government and business leaders. A staggering 69% of global respondents expressed concerns that government officials, corporate leaders, and journalists are misleading the public.
This reflects a significant increase in mistrust in the last few years, highlighting a crisis in global leadership and information credibility.
Another key point from the report is the rising fears of discrimination, with 63% of respondents expressing concerns over facing unfair treatment.
The survey pointed out a notable increase in these concerns, particularly in the United States, where 14% more people expressed fears of discrimination compared to previous years.
Amidst these global concerns, one positive takeaway from the report was that employees continue to have trust in their employers, despite a slight decline in trust levels.
With 75% of respondents trusting their employers, businesses are still seen as the most reliable institution, even as other areas such as government and media face significant credibility challenges.
The findings also shed light on the growing divide between the rich and the rest of society. A majority of respondents, 67%, felt that the wealthy do not pay their fair share of taxes, and 65% blamed the rich for contributing to the problems faced by ordinary people.
This sentiment is fueling greater discontent, particularly as global inequality continues to widen.
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