ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reaffirmed its position as one of the world’s most trusting countries in the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer, with confidence in government and business remaining at record highs.
The latest edition of the global trust survey, now in its 25th year, examined responses from over 33,000 individuals across 28 countries. While many nations continue to struggle with declining trust due to concerns over misinformation and economic instability, the UAE has maintained a strong level of public confidence in its institutions.
The report reveals that 82 percent of respondents in the UAE trust their government, significantly higher than the global average of 52 percent. The UAE also recorded 76 percent trust in business, demonstrating a robust faith in the country’s economic leadership.
Consistent trust growth since 2010
Since first being included in the Edelman Trust Barometer in 2010, the UAE has consistently ranked among the top nations for institutional trust. The country’s leadership has been recognised for its strong governance, economic policies, and ethical decision-making, reinforcing public faith in its institutions.
Beyond government and business, trust levels remain high across different sectors in the UAE:
- 85% of respondents trust teachers, making educators the most trusted professionals.
- 79% trust their fellow citizens, suggesting trust is shaped within local communities.
- 60% believe future generations will be better off, compared to a global average of just 36%.
Global trust crisis
While the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a high-trust nation, the global outlook presents a stark contrast. The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer highlights growing scepticism worldwide, driven by economic inequality, misinformation, and institutional failures.
- 63% of respondents globally struggle to identify credible information sources.
- Two-thirds believe the wealthy do not pay their fair share of taxes.
- Only 36% of people worldwide think future generations will have better opportunities.
The study also found that trust levels are increasingly divided by economic status, with a 13-point gap between high- and low-income groups.
UAE’s optimism stands apart
Despite economic uncertainty and rising global scepticism, the UAE remains one of the few nations where trust and optimism are closely linked. The survey indicates that public faith in institutions contributes to a positive outlook for future generations.
The UAE is also among the few countries that continue to trust international organisations, with 67 percent expressing confidence in the United Nations and 66 percent in the European Union.
Leadership in trust
Commenting on the findings, Omar Qirem, CEO of Edelman Middle East, highlighted the UAE’s unique standing in global trust rankings. “Edelman has been measuring trust for 25 years and first included the UAE in 2010. The data tells a compelling success story: trust has remained consistently high in the UAE for over a decade,” he said.
“The UAE has demonstrated that when institutions act with integrity and competence, trust flourishes. Where trust thrives, optimism overcomes uncertainty, paving the way for a brighter future.”
The Edelman Trust Barometer
The Edelman Trust Barometer is an annual global study measuring public confidence in institutions, including government, business, media, and NGOs. The 2025 edition surveyed over 33,000 people across 28 countries between October and November 2024.
Released at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the findings set the agenda for global discussions on trust and societal confidence.