2016 Edelman Trust Barometer.
The 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer has been kindly provided by Edelman for the Woolf Institute Trust Website: www.trustcommunity.eu
For more information visit http://www.edelman.com/insights/intellectual-property/2016-edelman-trust-barometer/global-results/
2. Informed Public
‣ 8 years in 20+ markets
‣ Represents 15% of total global population
‣ 500 respondents in U.S. and China; 200 in all other countries
Must meet 4 criteria:
‣ Ages 25-64
‣ College educated
‣ In top 25% of household income per age group in each country
‣ Report significant media consumption and engagement in business news
General Online Population
‣ 5 years in 25+ markets
‣ Ages 18+
‣ 1,150 respondents per country
Methodology
28-country global data margin of error: General Population +/-0.6% (N=32,200), Informed Public +/- 1.2% (N=6,200), Mass Population +/- 0.6% (26,000). Country-
specific data margin of error: General Population +/- 2.9 ( N=1,150), Informed Public +/- 6.9% (N = min 200, varies by country), China and U.S. +/- 4.4% (N=500),
Mass Population +/- 3.0 to 3.6 (N =min 740, varies by country), half sample Global General Online Population +/- 0.8 (N=16,100).
‣ 16 years of data
‣ 33,000+ respondents total
‣ All fieldwork was conducted between
October 13th and November 16th, 2015
Online Survey in 28 Countries
Mass Population
‣ All population not including Informed Public
‣ Represents 85% of total global population
2
3. Trust in Retrospect
3
Rising Influence
of NGOs
2001
Business Must
Partner with
Government to
Regain Trust
2009
Fall of the
Celebrity CEO
2002
Earned Media
More Credible
Than Advertising
2003
U.S. Companies
in Europe Suffer
Trust Discount
2004
Trust Shifts from
“Authorities” to
Peers
2005
“A Person Like
Me” Emerges as
Credible
Spokesperson
2006
Business More
Trusted Than
Government
and Media
2007
Young Influencers
Have More Trust
in Business
2008
Trust is Now an
Essential Line
of Business
2010
Rise of
Authority
Figures
2011
Fall of
Government
2012
Crisis of
Leadership
2013
Business to
Lead the Debate
for Change
2014
Trust is
Essential to
Innovation
2015
Growing
Inequality
of Trust
2016
4. 48
42
26
35
20
12
Trust Matters
4
Percent who engage in each behavior based on trust
68
59
41
38
37
18
Behaviors for Distrusted Companies Behaviors for Trusted Companies
Refused to buy products/services
Criticized companies
Shared negative opinions
Disagreed with others
Paid more than wanted
Sold shares
Chose to buy products/services
Recommended them to a friend/colleague
Shared positive opinions online
Defended company
Paid more
Bought shares
General
Population
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q371-589. Thinking back over the past 12 months, have you taken any of the following actions in relation to companies that you trust? Please
answer yes or no to each action. General Population, 28-country global total, questions asked of half the sample. Q377-380. Still thinking about the past 12 months, have you taken any of
the following actions in relation to companies that you do not trust? Please answer yes or no to each action. General Population, 28-country global total, question asked of half the sample.
most trusted
content creators:#1
Friends and
Family
most trusted
media source:#1
Online Search
Engines
6. 51
48
45
41
55 53
47
42
63
57
51
48
67 63
57
51
Trust Rising
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q11-14. Below is a list of institutions. For each one, please indicate how much you trust that institution to do what is right
using a nine-point scale, where one means that you “do not trust them at all” and nine means that you “trust them a great deal.” (Top 4 Box, Trust) Informed Public
and General Population, 27-country global total.
6
Percent trust in the four institutions of
government, business, media and NGOs, 2015 vs. 2016
NGOs Business Media Government
+4 +6 +6 +3
Informed
Public
General
Population
2015 2016
+4 +5 +2 +1
7. 60
64 65
63
66
50
53 54
51
55
46
48
45
48
51
38
41
39
42
43
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
54
58 58
56
62
47
50
49 49
53
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q11-14. Below is a list of institutions. For each one, please indicate how much you trust that institution to do what is right
using a nine-point scale, where one means that you “do not trust them at all” and nine means that you “trust them a great deal.” (Top 4 Box, Trust) Informed Public
and General Population, 25-country global total.
7
Percent trust in the four institutions of government, business, media and NGOs, 2012 vs. 2016
53
57
53
51
56
46
49
48
46
49
NGOs
Government
Media
Business
Post-Recession Highs
Informed
Public
General
Population
8. 59 Brazil
59 Mexico
56 Malaysia
53 Canada
52 Australia
52 France
52 U.S.
50 Germany
58 Brazil
58 Italy
58 Malaysia
57 U.K.
55 France
54 S. Africa
53 Argentina
53 Spain
52 Hong Kong
51 Germany
50 S. Korea
48 Italy
48 S. Africa
47 Hong Kong
47 S. Korea
46 U.K.
45 Argentina
45 Poland
45 Russia
45 Spain
45 Sweden
40 Turkey
37 Ireland
37 Japan
55 Global 60 Global
82 China
78 India
74 UAE
72 Mexico
72 Singapore
70 Indonesia
64 U.S.
63 Australia
63 Canada
62 Netherlands
61 Colombia
84 UAE
79 India
78 Indonesia
75 China
65 Singapore
64 Netherlands
49 Ireland
47 Turkey
46 Sweden
42 Poland
42 Russia
41 Japan
Trust Index:
Informed Public
Drives Rebound
Average trust in institutions,
Informed Public, 2015 vs. 2016
2015 2016
Informed Public
trust up 5 points
Trusters from 22% in
2015 to 39% in 2016
Distrusters from 48%
in 2015 to 21% in 2016
Trusters
Neutrals
Distrusters
8
The Trust Index is an average of a country’s trust in the
institutions of government, business, media and NGOs.
27-country global total.
9. 58 Brazil
58 Italy
58 Malaysia
57 U.K.
55 France
54 S. Africa
53 Argentina
53 Spain
52 Hong Kong
51 Germany
50 S. Korea
49 Australia
49 Italy
49 U.S.
47 Hong Kong
46 Spain
45 S. Africa
42 Germany
42 S. Korea
42 U.K.
41 France
41 Ireland
41 Turkey
39 Russia
38 Japan
37 Sweden
35 Poland
49 Ireland
47 Turkey
46 Sweden
42 Poland
42 Russia
41 Japan
73 China
66 UAE
65 India
64 Singapore
62 Indonesia
60 Mexico
82 China
78 India
74 UAE
72 Mexico
72 Singapore
70 Indonesia
64 U.S.
63 Australia
63 Canada
62 Netherlands
61 Colombia
56 Canada
55 Colombia
52 Netherlands
51 Argentina
51 Malaysia
50 Brazil
Trust Index:
General Population
Lags
Average trust in institutions,
Informed Public vs.
General Population, 2016
Nearly 6 in 10
countries are
distrusters among the
General Population
The Trust Index is an average of a country’s trust in the
institutions of government, business, media and NGOs.
28-country global total.
Informed
Public
General
Population
60 Global 50 Global
9
Trusters
Neutrals
Distrusters
10. 48 Brazil
47 Australia
47 Italy
46 Hong Kong
45 U.S.
44 S. Africa
44 Spain
42 Germany
40 S. Korea
40 U.K.
39 France
39 Ireland
39 Russia
39 Turkey
38 Japan
36 Sweden
34 Poland
49 Australia
49 Italy
49 U.S.
47 Hong Kong
46 Spain
45 S. Africa
42 Germany
42 S. Korea
42 U.K.
41 France
41 Ireland
41 Turkey
39 Russia
38 Japan
37 Sweden
35 Poland
58 Brazil
58 Italy
58 Malaysia
57 U.K.
55 France
54 S. Africa
53 Argentina
53 Spain
52 Hong Kong
51 Germany
50 S. Korea
73 China
66 UAE
65 India
64 Singapore
62 Indonesia
60 Mexico
57 Mexico
55 Canada
55 Colombia
52 Netherlands
50 Argentina
50 Malaysia
71 China
65 UAE
62 India
62 Indonesia
62 Singapore
56 Canada
55 Colombia
52 Netherlands
51 Argentina
51 Malaysia
50 Brazil
Trust Index:
Mass Population
Left Behind
Average trust in institutions,
Informed Public vs. General
Population vs. Mass Population
For the mass
population,
17 of 28 countries
are distrusters
The Trust Index is an average of a country’s trust in the
institutions of government, business, media and NGOs.
28-country global total.
General
Population
Mass
Population
50 Global 48 Global
49 Ireland
47 Turkey
46 Sweden
42 Poland
42 Russia
41 Japan
82 China
78 India
74 UAE
72 Mexico
72 Singapore
70 Indonesia
64 U.S.
63 Australia
63 Canada
62 Netherlands
61 Colombia
Informed
Public
60 Global For the mass
population, the
global index falls into
distruster territory
10
Trusters
Neutrals
Distrusters
12. 53
58
56 56
60
44
47
46 46
48
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
A Significant Divide
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q11-14. Below is a list of institutions. For each one, please indicate how much you trust that institution to do what is right
using a nine-point scale, where one means that you “do not trust them at all” and nine means that you “trust them a great deal.” (Top 4 Box, Trust) Informed Public
and Mass Population, 25-country global total.
GDP 5 = U.S., China, Japan, Germany, U.K.
12
Percent trust in the four institutions of
government, business, media and NGOs, 2012 to 2016 Informed
Public
Mass
Population
12pt
Gap
9pt
Gap
in trust inequality--
which jumps to a
5-point increase
among the GDP5
3-point increase
13. 3
5
12
10
8 8
7
4 4 4
3 3 3 3
2 2
1 1
0 0
-2 -2
-3
-4 -4 -4
-5
Trust Index 2012 – 2016, percentage point change in the size of
the trust gap between Informed Public and Mass Population
An Accelerating Disparity
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q11-14. Below is a list of institutions. For each one, please indicate how much you trust that institution to do what is right
using a nine-point scale where one means that you “do not trust them at all” and nine means that you “trust them a great deal.“ (Top 4 Box, Trust) Informed Public
and Mass Population, 25-country global total, 2012 vs 2016.
GDP 5 = U.S., China, Japan, Germany, U.K.
13
Increased Gap Decreased Gap
Gap has increased in 16 of 25 countries
Global25
GDP5
France
U.K.
U.S.
Spain
Mexico
Singapore
S.Korea
Malaysia
India
China
Brazil
Germany
Australia
Ireland
Russia
Poland
Canada
Japan
Indonesia
Italy
Argentina
UAE
HongKong
Netherlands
2012 Gap 9 7 4 7 11 1 8 6 6 4 13 8 7 6 14 8 2 7 8 3 10 13 6 13 10 14 15
2016 Gap 12 12 16 17 19 9 15 10 10 8 16 11 10 9 16 10 3 8 8 3 8 11 3 9 6 10 10
Sweden
14. Country
Informed
Public
Mass
Population Gap
U.S. 64 45 19
U.K. 57 40 17
France 55 39 16
India 78 62 16
Australia 63 47 16
Mexico 72 57 15
Italy 58 47 11
China 82 71 11
Brazil 58 48 10
Ireland 49 39 10
Netherlands 62 52 10
Sweden 46 36 10
S. Africa 54 44 10
S. Korea 50 40 10
Singapore 72 62 10
A Global Phenomenon
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer. The Trust Index is an average of a country’s trust in the institutions of government, business, media and NGOs,
28-country global total.
14
Trust Index, Informed Public vs. Mass Population,
15 countries with double-digit trust gaps in 2016
15. 50%
18 of 28 countries have a double-digit trust gap
between high-income and low-income respondents
Trust Index:
A Link to Income Inequality
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q13. Below is a list of institutions. For each one, please indicate how much you trust that institution to do what is right using a nine-point scale, where one means that you
“do not trust them at all” and nine means that you “trust them a great deal.” (Top 4 Box, Trust) General Population, 28-country global total, lower vs. upper quartile income in each country. [“CEOs are fairly paid
relative to the rest of the workforce”]
GDP 5 = U.S., China, Japan, Germany, U.K.
15
Average trust in institutions, respondents in top quartile of income vs.
respondents in bottom quartile of income in each country,
ranked by the size of the gap between them
60
57
71
64
78 78
68
49
52
62
67
49
45 46
50
53
40
74
79
46
65
68
59
38
44
80
55
62
58
71
46
42 40
35
52
56
48
30 33
45
50
32 31 32
37
40
27
62
69
36
56
59
51
30
37
73
48
55 52
66
Global
GDP5
U.S.
France
Brazil
India
Netherlands
Russia
U.K.
Italy
Singapore
Japan
HongKong
Turkey
Sweden
Spain
Poland
Colombia
Mexico
Ireland
SouthAfrica
UAE
Argentina
SouthKorea
Germany
Indonesia
Australia
Malaysia
Canada
China
19192022262931
Low-income
respondents
High-income
respondents
16. 50%
55
46
19 21
28
48
41
45
42
47
44
57
46
50
46
63
52
49
58 55 55
51
69
62 64
73 73
79 81
87
47
37
15
20
24
31 31 33 33 34 34
36 36 37
39
45 46 47 49 49 49
57
64 64 65
69 70
74
81 83
Global
GDP5
Japan
France
Germany
U.K.
Australia
Italy
S.Korea
Netherlands
Sweden
Poland
HongKong
Canada
Russia
U.S.
Singapore
Turkey
Ireland
S.Africa
Spain
Malaysia
Mexico
Argentina
Brazil
China
UAE
Indonesia
Colombia
India
In 19 of 28 countries, less than half of Mass Population
think they will be better off in five years
Mass Population Less Optimistic
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q445. Thinking about the economic prospects for yourself and your family, how do you think you and your family will be doing
in five years' time? (Top 2 Box, ‘Much better off than today,’ and ‘Somewhat better off than today.’) Informed Public and Mass Population, 28-country global total.
GDP 5 = U.S., China, Japan, Germany, U.K. 16
Percent of the Informed Public vs. Mass Population who
believe they and their families will be better off in five years’ time Informed
Public
Mass
Population
17 10 12 13 10 21 10 13 18
18. Mass
Population
The Inversion of Influence
18
Authority
& Influence
Influence
Authority
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q11-14. Below is a list of institutions. For each one, please indicate how much you trust that institution to do what is right
using a nine-point scale, where one means that you “do not trust them at all” and nine means that you “trust them a great deal.” (Top 4 Box, Trust) Informed Public
and Mass Population, 28-country global total.
85%
of
population
48 Trust Index
15%
of
population
60 Trust Index
Informed
Public
19. 71
69
67
45
32
28
Search
TV
Social
Newspapers
Magazines
Blogs
Influence of Peer-Driven Media
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q278-597 - How often do you read, view, click on or engage with the following types of content, media or information
sources? Online search engines, such as Google… (Q285), Television news and information (Q287), Social networking sites, such as Facebook, LinkedIn,
Instagram, Twitter, etc.(Net of Q278 Social Networking, Q279 Blogs, Q289 Online message boards, forums or newsgroups), articles in printed newspapers (Q284),
articles in printed magazines(Q283), Blogs (Q279) (Several times a week+) General Population, 28-country global total, question asked of half the sample. 19
Percent who use each media source several times a week or more
2 of top 3 most-used
sources of news and
information are peer-
influenced media
General
Population
20. Peers Recommend Companies
and Influence Purchasing
20
Actions taken in the last 12 months
based on trust
recommended companies
to a friend/colleague
59%
Impact of conversations about
brands with peers
make decisions/overcome
concerns/warn me about risks75%
Source: 2015 Earned Brand Study of Global Consumers
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q371-589. Thinking back over the past 12 months, have you
taken any of the following actions in relation to companies that you trust? Please answer yes or no to
each action. General Population, 28-country global total, question asked of half the sample.
Source: 2015 Earned Brand. Q41: Thinking about the conversations you have online and offline with
friends and other people like you about brands, products and services you purchase, what impact do
they have on you? [Net of ‘They warn me about the risks,’ ‘They help me make decisions,’ ‘They help
me overcome my concerns about the product / service,’ and ‘They help me overcome my concerns
about my data being collected / my privacy being respected.’]
General
Population
21. 63 64
57
50
48
41
50
39
33
67
64 63
53 52
49 48
44
35
Peers, Employees More Credible than Leaders
Source: 2016 Edelman. Trust Barometer Q130-587. Below is a list of people. In general, when forming an opinion of a company, if you heard information about a
company from each person, how credible would the information be—extremely credible, very credible, somewhat credible, or not credible at all? (Top 2 Box,
Very/Extremely Credible) General Population, 27-country global total.
21
Percent who rate each spokesperson as extremely/very credible
2015 2016
+8
Technical
expert
Academic
expert
A person
like
yourself
Financial
industry
analyst
Employee CEO NGO
representative
Board of
Directors
Government
official/regulator
CEO credibility
increased the most
General
Population
+6
23. A Position of Strength
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q11-14. Below is a list of institutions. For each one, please indicate how much you trust that institution to do what is right
using a nine-point scale, where one means that you “do not trust them at all” and nine means that you “trust them a great deal.” (Top 4 Box, Trust) Informed Public
and General Population, 27-country global total.
23
Percent trust in the four institutions of government,
business, media and NGOs, 2015 vs. 2016
51
48
45
41
55 53
47
42
63
57
51
48
67
63
57
51
NGOs Business Media Government
+4 +6 +6 +3
+4 +5 +2 +1
Informed
Public
General
Population
2015 2016
Business closing NGO’s
long-held lead in trust
24. 63
57
51
48
67
63
57
51
63
69
62
47
51
48
45
41
55
53
48
42
55
61
56
41
NGOs Business Media Government
Business Most Trusted to Keep Pace
24
Percent trust, 2015 and 2016, and percent who trust each
institution to keep up with the changing times, 2016
Informed
Public
General
Population
Trust
2016
Trusted to
keep pace
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q11-14. Below is a list of institutions. For each one, please indicate how much you trust that institution to do what is right
using a nine-point scale, where one means that you “do not trust them at all” and nine means that you “trust them a great deal.” (Top 4 Box, Trust), Informed Public
and General Population, 27-country global total. Q441-444 Below is a list of institutions. For each one, please indicate how much you trust that institution to keep
up with the changing times using a 9-point scale where one means that you “do not trust them at all to keep up with change” and nine means that you “trust them a
great deal to keep up with change”. (Top 4 Box, Trust) Informed Public and General Population, 28-country global total.
Business in the lead
Trust
2015
25. 50%
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q11-14. Below is a list of institutions. For each one, please indicate how much you trust that institution to do what is right
using a nine-point scale where one means that you “do not trust them at all” and nine means that you “trust them a great deal.“ (Top 4 Box, Trust) General
Population, 27-country global total.
GDP 5 = U.S., China, Japan, Germany, U.K.
48 47
64
70
58
68
65
59 56 57
48
51
43
46
51
36
44
30
46
36
40
32
42
38 36 37
30
60 57
53
50
76
71 70 69 67
64
60 60
57 56
53
52 51
48 46 46 46
43 43 42 42
39 38 38
33
70
58 56
Global27
GDP5
Mexico
Indonesia
China
India
UAE
Brazil
S.Africa
Singapore
Italy
Canada
Argentina
Australia
U.S.
Spain
U.K.
France
Sweden
Ireland
Japan
Turkey
Germany
HongKong
Poland
Russia
S.Korea
Columbia
Malaysia
Netherlands
Global Increase in Business Trust
25
Percent trust in business, 2015 vs. 2016
Increased or equal trust in business in 25 countries
+12 +12 +10 +12 +16 +10
General
Population
2015 2016
n/a
26. Industry 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
5 yr.
Trend
Technology 76% 73% 75% 73% 74% 2
Food & Beverage 63% 63% 64% 63% 64% 1
Consumer Packaged Goods 57% 60% 61% 60% 61% 4
Telecommunications 58% 60% 61% 59% 60% 2
Automotive 62% 65% 69% 66% 60% 2
Energy 53% 57% 57% 56% 58% 5
Pharmaceutical 54% 54% 55% 54% 53% 1
Financial Services 43% 47% 48% 48% 51% 8
40%
45%
50%
55%
60%
65%
70%
75%
Sector Trends:
Financial Services Rebounds
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q45-429. Please indicate how much you trust businesses in each of the following industries to do what is right. Again, please use the same nine-point scale where
one means that you “do not trust them at all” and nine means that you “trust them a great deal”. (Top 4 Box, Trust) General Population, 25-country global total. *From 2012-2014, Pharma included as
subsector(Q). **From 2012-2015, Pharma included as an industry sector (Q43-60). 2012-2014 data recalibrated as a sector.
Trust in each industry sector, 2012-2016
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
General
Population
26
27. Higher trust in business in 21 countries
53
50
76
71 70
69
64
60
58 57 56 56
53 52 51
48
46 46 46
43 43 42
38
42
70
67
60
39 38
33
42
46
32
58
32
65
21
16
39
30
53
49
26
45
39
26
45
36
24
39
32
39
19
42
79 80
74
45
53
35
Global
GDP5
Mexico
Indonesia
Colombia
India
Brazil
S.Africa
Malaysia
Italy
Canada
Netherlands
Argentina
Australia
U.S.
Spain
Sweden
U.K.
France
Japan
Ireland
Germany
Poland
Turkey
China
UAE
Singapore
HongKong
Russia
S.Korea
50%
Business vs. Government
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q11-14. Below is a list of institutions. For each one, please indicate how much you trust that institution to do what is right
using a nine-point scale where one means that you “do not trust them at all” and nine means that you “trust them a great deal.“ (Top 4 Box, Trust) General
Population, 28-country global total.
GDP 5 = U.S., China, Japan, Germany, U.K.
27
Percent trust in business vs. government, 2016, ranked by trust in business
Business Government
General
Population
28. Business Must Lead to Solve Problems
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q249. Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following statement? (Top 4 Box, Agree).
General Population, 27-country global total, question asked of half the sample.
.
80% agree
“A company can take
specific actions that both
increase profits and improve
the economic and social
conditions in the community
where it operates.”
up from 74% in 2015
General
Population
28
29. Access to education/training
Address income inequality
Access to healthcare
Protecting/improving the environment
Reducing poverty
Supporting human & civil rights
Modern infrastructure
E
E
P
H
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q561-573 Thinking about businesses in your country, how important is it that they play a role in solving each of the following societal issues?
Please use a nine-point scale where one means that it is “not at all important” and nine means that it is “extremely important”. (Top 4 Box, Importance) General Population, 28-country
global total, question asked of one quarter the sample.
Societal
Expectations
Vary
29
Most important issue for
business to address in
each country
Canada
Brazil
Germany
France
China
U.S.
Poland
Argentina
Sweden
Mexico
U.K.
Ireland
Netherlands
Turkey
Singapore
Hong Kong
Malaysia
Colombia
Japan
Australia
Russia
S. Korea
Italy
Spain
Indonesia
UAE
S. Africa
India
General
Population
R
I
I
E
E
R
H
E
E
E
E
E
P
P
E
H
P
E
H
H
H
E
E
E
E
E
P
I
H
E
I
33. CEO Focus Misplaced
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q451-461. Thinking about CEOs, how strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements? General Population.
[‘CEOs do too much lobbying,’ ‘Given that the average tenure of CEOs is just four years, CEOs aren’t in their role long enough to make a positive impact,’ ‘CEOs are
too focused on short-term financial results’ (Top 4 Box, Agree), ‘CEOs can be trusted to create jobs’ (Bottom 5 Box, Do Not Agree)], 28 country global total.
33
Percent who agree with each statement about CEOs
Focus on short-term
financial results
Lobbying
Too Much
67%
57%
Positive
long-term impact
Job creation
Not Enough
57%
49%
General
Population
34. Purpose and Profits Matter
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q496-506. How visible do you think a CEO should personally be in these different types of business situations? Please
use a 9-point scale where one means that it is “not visible at all” and nine means that it is “extremely visible”. (Top 4 Box, Visible) General Population, 28-country
global total, question asked of half the sample.
34
Percent who agree that CEOs should be personally visible in discussing…
8in10
Societal
Issues
‣ Income inequality
‣ Public policy discussions
‣ Personal views on
societal issues
7in10
Financial
Results
General
Population
35. Purpose Impacts Trust
35
Percent who cite each as a reason for why their trust in business has increased or decreased
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q328-329. For which of the following reasons, if any, has your trust in each institution listed below increased over the past year? Q330-331. For which
of the following reasons, if any, has your trust in each institution listed below decreased over the past year? General Population, 28-country global total.
Reasons Trust in
Business Has Increased
Reasons Trust in
Business Has Decreased
Produces
economic growth
Contributes to the
greater good
Allows me to be a productive
member of society
Fails to contribute
to the greater good
Lacks economic growth
No public services
59%
45%
40%
50%
39%
36%
General
Population
37. Integrity 51 27 24
Exhibits highly ethical behaviors 50 24 26
Takes responsible actions to address an issue or crisis 53 33 20
Behaves in a way that is transparent and open 50 24 26
Engagement 49 24 25
Treats employees well 52 25 27
Listens to customer needs and feedback 50 25 25
Places customer ahead of profits 47 23 24
Communicates frequently and honestly on the state of their company 46 23 23
Products 45 33 12
Places a premium on offering high-quality products or services 48 34 14
Is focused on driving innovation and introducing new products/services/ideas 42 32 10
Purpose 40 25 15
Is dedicated to protecting and improving the environment 41 22 19
Ensures that the company creates programs that positively impact the local community in which it operates 42 28 14
Ensures that the company addresses society's needs in its everyday business 43 26 17
Ensures that the company partners with NGOs, government and third parties to address societal issues 33 24 9
Operations 37 28 9
Attracts and retains a highly regarded and widely admired top leadership team 40 29 11
Is ranked on a global list of top CEOs, such as "The Best Performing CEOs in The World" 29 25 4
Manages the company in a way that delivers consistent financial returns 41 29 12
Leaders Seen As Underperforming
Importance vs. performance of 16 trust-building leadership attributes
%
Performance
%
Importance Gap
General
Population
37
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust
Barometer. Q462-478 How important is
each of the following attributes to
building your trust in CEOs? (Top 2
Box, Important) Q479-495 Please rate
CEOs on how well you think they are
performing on each of the following
attributes. Use a nine-point scale where
one means they are “performing
extremely poorly” and nine means they
are “performing extremely well.” CEO
questions use the same scales as the
business questions. (Top 2 Box,
Performance) General Population, 28-
country global total.
38. Desired Leadership Qualities
Characteristics that make a CEO trustworthy, percent who
selected each as one of the top five in each region
38
cannot name any CEOs*
60% of
global
respondents
North America
Honest 59%
Ethical 48%
Competent 26%
Transparent 26%
Sincere 24%
Latin America
Ethical 47%
Honest 44%
Competent 36%
Visionary 34%
Innovative 33%
Europe
Honest 53%
Competent 43%
Experienced 28%
Ethical 27%
Transparent 27%
APAC
Honest 39%
Visionary 35%
Decisive 31%
Ethical 31%
Competent 26%
General
Population
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q515. Which of the following personal characteristics make a CEO trustworthy? Please select the five most important
characteristics that make a CEO trustworthy. General Population, 28-country global total, question asked of half the sample.
* Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer CEO Supplement Q1. Thinking about company CEOs in general, how many CEOs could you name in full? General
Population, 10-country global total.
39. 62%65%
70%
79%
Their education and
how it shaped them
Their personal
success story
The obstacles
they have overcome
Their personal
values
Personal Values and History Matter
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q507-514. Thinking about how a CEO communicates with a variety of groups and individuals, how important are each of the following activities a CEO could engage in?
Please use a nine-point scale where one means that attribute is “not at all important to building your trust” and nine means it is “extremely important to building your trust”. [Media Engagement net = Q507
‘Interviews with the media,’ and ‘Q512 ‘Sharing their views on a blog or on social media.’ Direct Engagement net = Q508 ‘Communications with employees,’ and ‘Participation in industry conferences.’] Q516-524.
For you to trust a CEO, how important is it that you have information on each of the following aspects of the CEO’s personal life outside of their business? Please use a nine-point scale where one means that
attribute is “not at all important to building your trust” and nine means it is “extremely important to building your trust. (Top 4 Box, Important) General Population, 28-country global total, question asked of half the
sample.
Percent who agree that each type of information
is important in building trust in a CEO
both directly (86%)
and via media (75%)
General
Population
39
CEOs must engage
41. 25
27
19
25
28
33
27 28
24
28
37
3132
30
48
24 25 26
21 21 22 23
20
16
19 19
14
19 18 18
8 9 8
13
10 11
Employees are Essential Advocates
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q610 Who do you trust MOST to provide you with credible and honest information about a company's financial earnings and operational performance, and top leadership’s
accomplishments? Q611 a company’s business practices, both positive and negative, and its handling of a crisis? Q612 a company’s employee programs, benefits and working conditions, and how a company serves its
customers and prioritizes customer needs ahead of company profits? Q613 a company’s partnerships with NGOs and effort to address societal issues, including those to positively impact the local community? Q614 a
company’s innovation efforts and new product development? Q615 Who do you trust MOST to provide you with credible and honest information about a company’s stand on issues related to the industry in which it
operates? General Population, 28-country global total.
41
Most trusted spokesperson to communicate each topic
Innovation effortsFinancial earnings &
operational
performance
Business practices/
crisis handling
Treatment of
employees/customer
Partnerships/
Programs to address
societal issues
Views on
industry issues
Employees Most Trusted
General
Population
Company CEO
Senior executive
Employee
Activist consumer
Academic
Media spokesperson
42. 65
60
40
48 48 50
54 55 56
57 58 59 60 62 62 63 64 64 64
72 73 76 76 77 77 78 79
83 85
89
Global
GDP5
Japan
Russia
France
Sweden
Australia
S.Korea
Poland
U.K.
Italy
HongKong
Ireland
Germany
Netherlands
Spain
Turkey
Canada
U.S.
S.Africa
Singapore
Malaysia
UAE
Indonesia
Brazil
Argentina
China
India
Colombia
Mexico
50%
Significant Employee Lack of Trust
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q525-526. Thinking about your own company and other companies in your industry, please indicate how much you trust
each to do what is right using a nine-point scale where one means that you “do not trust them at all” and nine means that you “trust them a great deal”. (Top 4 Box,
Trust) General Population, 28-country global total.
GDP 5 = U.S., China, Japan, Germany, U.K.
42
Percent who trust the company for which they work
TrustedNot Trusted
General
Population
43. Employees of
companies NOT
engaged in societal
issues
Employees of
companies engaged
in societal issues
Employee Advocacy Increases
With Societal Issue Engagement
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q527-529 Does your company get involved in addressing broader societal issues beyond the core business, through
programs or relationships with other companies? Q530-536. Thinking about your current company, please indicate how much you agree with each of the following
statements using a nine-point scale where one means that you “strongly disagree” and nine means that you “strongly agree”. (Top 4 Box, Agree) General
Population, 28-country global total, question was asked of half the sample. 43
Percent who agree with each statement, comparing those who
work at companies involved in addressing broader societal issues
vs. those who do not
57
61
60
62
68
66
78
Recommend company as an employer
Stay working for the company
Confidence in the future of the company
Motivated to perform
Committed to achieving our strategy
Recommend products and services to others
Do the best possible job for the customer
Impact of
Company
Engagement
12
21
19
22
24
22
25
90
87
87
84
84
83
82
General
Population
Level of Employee Advocacy/Commitment
45. 58
53
44
63
46
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Transformed Media Landscape
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q178-182. When looking for general news and information, how much would you trust each type of source for general news and information? Please use a
nine-point scale where one means that you “do not trust it at all” and nine means that you “trust it a great deal.” (Top 4 Box, Trust) General Population and Millennials, 25-country global total.
*From 2012-2015, “Online Search Engines” were included as a media type. In 2016, this was changed to “Search Engines.”
**From 2012-2015, “Hybrid Media” was included as a media type. In 2016, this was changed to “Online-Only media.”
Percent trust in each source for general news and information
Millennials
even more trusting
of digital media than
general population
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Search engines* 61 58 61 62 63
Traditional media 62 59 61 57 58
Online-only media** 46 44 47 45 53
Owned media 41 40 43 43 46
Social media 44 41 44 45 44
General
Population
45
Millennials Gap
66 3
58 0
58 5
51 5
51 7
46. 50%
67
61
53
46
39
46
40
34
30
26
78
65
62
55
49
44 42
37
32 31
My friends
and family
An academic
expert
Companies
that I use
Employees of
a company
A company
CEO
A journalist A well-known
online
personality
Elected
officials
Celebrities Companies I
don’t use*
Every Voice Matters
Source: 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer Q598-609. Thinking about the information you consume, how much do you trust the information from each of the following
authors or content creators? (Top 4 Box, Trust) General Population, 27-country global total, question asked of half the sample.
* Asked as “Brands I don’t use” in 2015. 46
Percent who trust information created by each author on social networking
sites, content sharing sites and online-only information sources, 2015 vs. 2016
+11
General
Population
+10
2015 2016
47. Peers Influence Purchase
Source: The Edelman Earned Brand study 2015, Q41: Thinking about the conversations you have online and offline with friends and other people like you about
brands, products and services you purchase, what impact do they have on you?
The impact of online and offline conversations about brands
with friends and other people like me
Source: 2015 Earned Brand Study of Global Consumers
purchase decisions
at the moment of truth
75%
Build Inspiration %
They give me a sense of community 16
They get me 17
Push Consideration %
They push me to try new things 25
They suggest products/services 27
They make me trust the brand more 29
Moment of Truth %
They help me overcome concerns 37
They help me make decisions 44
They warn me about the risks 45
peers
influence
47
48. Influence
The Inversion of
Influence
48
Influence
& Authority
Authority
Old Model
‣ Elites have access
to more/better
information
‣ Elites’ interests
interconnected with
those of mass
‣ Becoming an “elite”
open to all
New Reality
‣ Peer-to-peer influence
more powerful than top-
down
‣ Increasing distrust
among mass population
‣ Mass movements based
on dissatisfaction and
urgency
The Divide
‣ Democratization of
information and more
information
‣ High-profile revelations
of greed and
misbehavior
‣ Income inequality
50. Actions
Values
Employee
Advocacy
Engagement
Embracing the
New Reality of Influence to
Address Trust Inequality
‣ Create societal impact in addition to profits through
purposeful action
‣ Express your values through honest, ethical
engagement in which you share your story
‣ Ignite your most powerful advocate, your employees
‣ Engage cross channel to meet stakeholders, where
they are, about what most interests/concerns them
Influence
TRUST
50
Leadership
TRUST