The OECD Trust Survey highlights a split in public opinion, with approximately 40% of people trusting their national government and the same percentage expressing distrust. While many citizens feel the government is delivering public services effectively and is prepared for future health crises, there is significant concern about government responsiveness and integrity. Trust varies among demographics, with disadvantaged groups and younger individuals exhibiting lower levels of trust, prompting recommendations for governments to enhance public engagement and service delivery.

1. Elsa Pilichowski
Director for Public Governance
13 July 2022
Building Trust to
Reinforce Democracy:
Main Findings from the
OECD Trust Survey
http://oe.cd/trust

2. An even split between those who trust and those who distrust
2
On average 4 out of 10 people trust their national government while 4 out of 10 do not
Share of respondents who indicate different levels of trust in their national government (on a 0-10 scale), 2021
Source: OECD Trust Survey
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Trust Neutral Do not trust Don't know
http://oe.cd/trust

3. Source: OECD Trust Survey http://oe.cd/trust
Most people feel their government is delivering public services
3
61.7%
11.3%
24.8%
2.1%
Satisfied Neutral
Not satisfied Don't know
57.6%
12.6%
24.1%
5.8%
Satisfied Neutral
Not satisfied Don't know
Satisfaction with healthcare system Satisfaction with educational system Satisfaction with administrative services
63.0%
13.6%
17.4%
6.0%
Satisfied Neutral
Not satisfied Don't know
Governments seen as reliable, even during COVID-19
3

4. Source: OECD Trust Survey http://oe.cd/trust
Governments viewed as prepared for future health crises
4
Nearly half say their government would be prepared for a future pandemic
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Likely Neutral Unlikely Don't know
Share of respondents reporting different levels of perceived likelihood that their government would be prepared to
protect people's lives in the event of a new serious contagious illness (on a 0-10 scale), 2021
4

5. Source: OECD Trust Survey http://oe.cd/trust
Half think their government should prioritise climate change, but only one-third are confident
they will succeed
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
OECD AUS AUT BEL CAN COL DNK EST FRA GBR IRL ISL JPN KOR LUX LVA NLD NOR NZL PRT SWE
% saying government should prioritise reducing their country's contribution to climate change
% confident that country will succeed in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
But they could do better in acting on citizens’ concerns
5

6. Source: OECD Trust Survey http://oe.cd/trust 6
A minority say a public service would be improved if people complained
Share of respondents reporting different levels of perceived likelihood that a poorly performing public service
would be improved if many people complained about it (on a 0-10 scale), 2021
Governments seen by many as unresponsive to public feedback
6
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Likely Neutral Unlikely Don't know

7. 7
Half say the political system does not let them have a say in decision making
Share of respondents reporting different levels of confidence that the political system lets them have a say in
government decision making (0-10 scale), 2021
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Confident they have a say Neutral Not confident they have a say Don't know
Few people see opportunities to participate in policy making
7
Source: OECD Trust Survey http://oe.cd/trust

8. Public perception of government integrity is an issue
8
Almost half predict that a high-level political official would grant a political favour in
exchange for the offer of a well-paid private sector job
Share of respondents who indicate that an elected or appointed official would accept or refuse the offer of a well-
paid private sector job in exchange for a political favour (on a 0-10 scale), 2021
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
% Likely refuses to grant political favour Neutral Likely accepts granting political favour Don't know
8
Source: OECD Trust Survey http://oe.cd/trust

9. Source: OECD Trust Survey http://oe.cd/trust
Disadvantaged groups have lower levels of trust in government
9
People with personal financial concerns are less likely to trust the government
Share of respondents that trust the government by level of respondents’ personal financial concerns, 2021
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
% Trust national government
Among respondents with less financial concerns Among respondents with more financial concerns
9

10. Source: OECD Trust Survey http://oe.cd/trust
Younger people have lower levels of trust in government
10
Share of respondents that trust the government by level of respondents’ personal financial concerns, 2021
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
% Trust in national
government
Among people age 18-29 Among people age 30-49 Among people age 50+

11. Source: OECD Trust Survey http://oe.cd/trust
 Connect and engage better with citizens in policy design, delivery and reform;
enhance political voice; continuously improve public services; ensure the inclusion
of vulnerable groups.
 Invest in public integrity
 Don’t rest on the laurels of reliability: continue improving preparedness for future
crises, designing better public services, and enhancing transparency
 OECD Trust Survey data can help governments deliver better. This is
actionable evidence for countries as they try to strengthen public trust.
 The Trust Survey will be a key input to the Reinforcing Democracy Ministerial
(November 2022).
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Key takeaways for governments

12. 12
Thank you
OECD Directorate for Public Governance: www.oecd.org/gov/
OECD Trust Survey: https://www.oecd.org/governance/trust-in-government/