Declining Trust in Government: A Unique Scenario in the U.S. Among G-7 Nations

Trust in Government: A Multifaceted Issue

How much faith do you have in your government and its various institutions? Your trust level likely hinges on numerous factors, including perceived competence, historical context, economic performance, accountability, social cohesion, and transparency. Trust in government institutions is not static; it fluctuates even in the most developed nations, such as the G7 countries.

Trust in Government Institutions Among G7 Countries: 2006-2023

The chart, courtesy of Visual Capitalist's Nick Routley, examines the shifts in trust in government institutions from 2006 to 2023, using data from a Gallup poll conducted across multiple countries. This data set combines confidence in several national institutions, including the military, the judiciary, the national government, and the electoral system's integrity.

Interestingly, among the G7, a group of the world's most developed economies, only the United States deviates from the general trend.

Trust Trends Among G7 Countries

In most G7 countries, confidence in institutions has either improved or remained stable between 2006 and 2023. The most significant percentage point (p.p.) increases occurred in Italy and Japan, which experienced +13 p.p. and +11 p.p. increases in trust over this period.

However, in the U.S., confidence in government institutions has dropped by 13 p.p. over the years. What could be the reason behind this decline?

Key Figures on U.S. Trust in Institutions

In 2006, the U.S. was on par with the UK, with both countries having the highest confidence in government institutions at 63%. However, the situation changed by 2023, with the U.S. lagging behind in three crucial indicators: confidence in the national government, confidence in the justice system, and confidence in fair elections. The U.S. ranked last in each of these indicators among the G7 countries.

Another noteworthy data point: despite having the world's highest military spending, the U.S. is only the third most confident in its military among the G7 countries, trailing France (86%) and the United Kingdom (83%).

Closing Thoughts

It's thought-provoking to see the unique decline in trust in government institutions in the U.S. among the G7 nations. What do you think could be the reasons behind this trend? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.