Trust in National Government 2010

Trust in national government measures public confidence in government institutions and leaders across nations.

46 data points••Global Coverage•Trust in government | Our World in Data•

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
79.5 %
2
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
70.333 %
3
Denmark flag
Denmark
63 %
4
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
63 %
5
Australia flag
Australia
62.5 %
6
Finland flag
Finland
59 %
7
Canada flag
Canada
58.333 %
8
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
58 %
9
Turkey flag
Turkey
57.5 %
10
Sweden flag
Sweden
57 %
11
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
55 %
12
Colombia flag
Colombia
54.333 %
13
Norway flag
Norway
54 %
14
Thailand flag
Thailand
53.333 %
15
South Africa flag
South Africa
52.333 %
16
Chile flag
Chile
49 %
17
Brazil flag
Brazil
48.333 %
18
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
47 %
19
Germany flag
Germany
45.333 %
20
France flag
France
44 %
21
Spain flag
Spain
43.333 %
22
United States flag
United States
43.333 %
23
Austria flag
Austria
41 %
24
Mexico flag
Mexico
41 %
25
Belgium flag
Belgium
40 %
26
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
40 %
27
Ireland flag
Ireland
37.667 %
28
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
37 %
29
Italy flag
Italy
36.333 %
30
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
35 %
31
Israel flag
Israel
34.333 %
32
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
33 %
33
Poland flag
Poland
31.667 %
34
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
31 %
35
Argentina flag
Argentina
30.333 %
36
Portugal flag
Portugal
28.667 %
37
South Korea flag
South Korea
28.667 %
38
Greece flag
Greece
28 %
39
Estonia flag
Estonia
27.5 %
40
Japan flag
Japan
24.667 %
41
Iceland flag
Iceland
24 %
42
Hungary flag
Hungary
22.5 %
43
Peru flag
Peru
17.667 %
44
Romania flag
Romania
16 %
45
Latvia flag
Latvia
14.5 %
46
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
13.333 %

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Luxembourg flagLuxembourg
  2. #2Indonesia flagIndonesia
  3. #3Denmark flagDenmark
  4. #4Netherlands flagNetherlands
  5. #5Australia flagAustralia
  6. #6Finland flagFinland
  7. #7Canada flagCanada
  8. #8Switzerland flagSwitzerland
  9. #9Turkey flagTurkey
  10. #10Sweden flagSweden

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #46Lithuania flagLithuania
  2. #45Latvia flagLatvia
  3. #44Romania flagRomania
  4. #43Peru flagPeru
  5. #42Hungary flagHungary
  6. #41Iceland flagIceland
  7. #40Japan flagJapan
  8. #39Estonia flagEstonia
  9. #38Greece flagGreece
  10. #37South Korea flagSouth Korea

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

In 2010, the country with the highest Trust in National Government was Luxembourg at 79.5%, while the global range spanned from a minimum of 13.33% to a maximum of 79.50%. The global average trust level was 41.99%, providing a benchmark for understanding how nations compare in terms of public confidence in their governments.

Economic Prosperity and Trust Levels

Economic factors play a significant role in influencing Trust in National Government. Countries like Luxembourg and Switzerland, which boast high GDP per capita and robust economic stability, have trust levels of 79.5% and 58% respectively. These nations benefit from strong institutional frameworks and effective governance, leading to higher public confidence. Similarly, Australia and Canada, with trust levels of 62.5% and 58.333332%, are known for their stable economies and transparent government practices, which likely contribute to higher trust.

Political Stability and Institutional Trust

Political stability is another critical factor affecting trust in government. Denmark and the Netherlands, each with a trust level of 63%, are examples of countries with long-standing political stability and effective democratic institutions. These factors foster an environment of trust among citizens. On the other hand, Greece and Hungary, with trust levels of 28% and 22.5%, respectively, have faced political challenges and institutional instability, which are likely reflected in the lower public confidence in their governments.

Regional Variations in Trust

Regional differences highlight varying levels of trust in national governments. In Northern Europe, countries such as Finland and Sweden report trust levels of 59% and 57%, respectively, reflecting a regional trend of higher confidence in government institutions. Conversely, Eastern European countries like Lithuania and Latvia exhibit lower trust levels of 13.333333% and 14.5%, potentially due to historical governance challenges and economic transitions post-Soviet Union.

Implications of Low Trust Levels

Low trust in national government can have significant implications for policy effectiveness and public engagement. For example, Japan and South Korea, with trust levels of 24.666666% and 28.666666%, may face challenges in implementing policy changes and achieving public compliance due to skepticism towards government directives. Similarly, Peru and Romania, with trust levels of 17.666666% and 16%, may encounter difficulties in fostering civic participation and addressing public discontent.

In summary, the 2010 data on Trust in National Government underscores the interplay between economic conditions, political stability, and regional influences in shaping public confidence in government institutions. Understanding these factors is crucial for policymakers aiming to enhance trust and improve governance outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trust in National Government in 2010

Which country had the highest trust in national government in 2010?

Luxembourg had the highest trust in national government in 2010, with a rate of 79.5%.

What was the average trust in national government across all countries in 2010?

The average trust in national government across all countries in 2010 was 41.99%.

Which country had the lowest trust in national government in 2010?

Lithuania had the lowest trust in national government in 2010, with a rate of 13.33%.

What was the median trust in national government value in 2010?

The median trust in national government value in 2010 was 41%.

Which countries were in the top 3 for trust in national government in 2010?

The top 3 countries for trust in national government in 2010 were Luxembourg, Indonesia, and Denmark.

What was the range of trust in national government values in 2010?

The range of trust in national government values in 2010 spanned from 13.33% in Lithuania to 79.5% in Luxembourg.

Insights by country

1

Latvia

In 2010, Latvia ranked #45 out of 46 countries with a Trust in National Government value of 14.5 %. This figure was significantly lower than many of its European neighbors, reflecting a broader trend of skepticism towards government institutions in post-Soviet states. Key drivers of this distrust included the lingering effects of economic turmoil following the 2008 financial crisis, which severely impacted public confidence in governance and economic stability.

2

Greece

In 2010, Greece had a Trust in National Government value of 28 %, ranking #38 out of 46 countries. This figure was significantly lower than the European average, reflecting widespread disillusionment during a period of severe economic crisis. Factors such as high unemployment, austerity measures, and political instability contributed to the erosion of public trust in government institutions.

3

Turkey

In 2010, Turkey ranked #9 out of 46 countries with a Trust in National Government value of 57.5 %. This figure was notably higher than the global average, reflecting a relatively strong confidence in government institutions compared to many neighboring countries. Key drivers of this trust included Turkey's robust economic growth during the early 2000s and significant political reforms aimed at EU accession, which bolstered public perception of governance.

4

Czech Republic

In 2010, the Czech Republic ranked #32 out of 46 countries with a Trust in National Government value of 33 %. This figure is notably lower than the global average, indicating a significant level of skepticism among citizens towards their government. Contributing factors include economic challenges following the global financial crisis and political instability, which have affected public confidence in governmental institutions.

5

Chile

In 2010, Chile achieved a global rank of #16 out of 46 countries with a Trust in National Government value of 49%. This figure is notably higher than the average in Latin America, reflecting a relatively stable political environment compared to some neighboring countries. Key drivers of this trust include Chile's strong economic performance and effective governance reforms that have fostered greater transparency and accountability in public institutions.

6

Poland

In 2010, Poland ranked #33 globally with a Trust in National Government value of 31.666666 %. This figure is notably lower than the regional average in Central and Eastern Europe, reflecting a broader trend of skepticism towards governmental institutions in post-communist countries. Key drivers of this sentiment include ongoing economic challenges and political controversies, which have influenced public perception and trust in government efficacy.

7

Belgium

In 2010, Belgium had a Trust in National Government value of 40 %, ranking #25 out of 46 countries. This figure is notably lower than the European Union average, reflecting broader regional trends of skepticism towards governmental institutions. Factors contributing to Belgium's trust levels include its complex political structure, characterized by multiple layers of government and linguistic divisions, which can lead to public disillusionment with national leadership.

8

Australia

In 2010, Australia achieved a global rank of #5 with a Trust in National Government value of 62.5%. This level of trust is significantly higher than the global average, reflecting a stable political environment compared to many other nations. Key drivers of this trust include Australia's robust economy, effective governance, and a high degree of political transparency, which foster public confidence in national institutions.

9

United Kingdom

In 2010, the United Kingdom ranked #26 out of 46 countries with a Trust in National Government value of 40%. This figure is notably lower than the global average, reflecting a trend of skepticism towards political institutions during that period. Contributing factors included the economic fallout from the 2008 financial crisis, which eroded public confidence in government effectiveness and accountability.

10

Colombia

In 2010, Colombia ranked #12 out of 46 countries in terms of Trust in National Government, with a value of 54.333332 %. This figure is notably higher than many of its regional neighbors, reflecting a relatively stable political climate during a period of significant economic growth. Key drivers of this trust include improvements in security and governance, largely attributed to government efforts to combat drug trafficking and insurgency, which have fostered greater public confidence in national institutions.

Data Source

Trust in government | Our World in Data

Our World in Data is a research organization that provides comprehensive data visualizations and statistics on various global issues, including trust in government. The dataset specifically offers country-level statistics on the average levels of trust in government across OECD countries.

Visit Data Source

Historical Data by Year

Explore Trust in National Government data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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