170209 GfK Verein Global Trust Report 2017 EN mit …...consumer electronics and household appliance...

GfK Verein

Global Trust Report 2017 –a GfK Verein study

Trust in institutions and economic sectors

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Copyright GfK Verein

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the prior (written) permission of the copyright holders.

February 2017

Responsible: Ronald Frank

GfK VereinGesellschaft für Konsum-, Markt- und Absatzforschung e.V.

Nordwestring 101, 90419 NurembergTel.: +49 911 395-2231 and -2368 – Fax: +49 911 395-2715

Email: [email protected]: http://www.gfk-verein.org

Printed by: Druckhaus Haspel, Erlangen

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GfK Consumer Experiences:Birgit MüllerSusanne Siegert

GfK Verein:Ronald Frank

Introduction 4 3 North and South America in detail 70

1 Global trust 6 Brazil 71

2 Europe in detail 26 Mexico 74

Austria 27 USA 77

Belgium 30 4 Asia and the Pacific in detail 82

France 33 India 83

Germany 36 Indonesia 86

Italy 43 Iran 89

Netherlands 46 Japan 92

Poland 49 Philippines 95

Russia 52 South Korea 98

Spain 55 5 Africa in detail 101

Sweden 58 Kenya 102

Switzerland 61 Nigeria 105

Turkey 64 South Africa 108

UK 67 6 Methodology 111

Global Trust Report 2017 – a GfK Verein study

Contents

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Against the backdrop of the politically and economically

significant events which took place in 2016, the fourth edition

of the Global Trust Report published by GfK Verein not only

reveals at times surprising stability in terms of the trust

expressed by citizens and consumers in social institutions

and economic sectors, but also presents a series of

noteworthy changes.

In light of the ongoing terror threat and the need to cope

with the refugee crisis, both the police and the military have

experienced an increase in trust in Germany as well as in

countries such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and

Spain. At the other end of the spectrum, events in Turkey in

summer 2016 have seen trust in the security forces fall

significantly in the country. In Italy, the failed referendum in

autumn 2016 led to the resignation of Prime Minister Matteo

Renzi, whose government most recently witnessed a slight

increase in trust. Italian banks remain a cause for concern,

however, including in terms of the very low level of trust

bestowed upon them by citizens.

In the UK, the referendum on the country's withdrawal

from the EU and the subsequent change in government have

led to a rise in the trust awarded to the government and to

British political parties. In the USA, in contrast, the

presidential election campaign prompted a decline in the trust

felt for Obama's government, which was still in power at the

time of the survey, as well as an even greater drop in the

confidence placed in the country's political parties. It remains

to be seen how much trust the Trump administration will instil.

In France, the amount of trust engendered by the government

and political parties in the run up to the April 2017 presidential

election remains extremely low.

The European common currency, the euro, enjoys a

positive year, as in all the countries surveyed its rating

remains stable or even increases, as in countries such as

France, Spain, Austria and the Netherlands. Uncertainty in

Turkey and Brazil, on the other hand, is causing these

countries to face further loss of trust in their currencies.

Introduction /// Trust in times of uncertainty / 1

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Mexico, which features in the Global Trust Report for

the first time, stands out for the extremely low amount of trust

placed in institutions such as the government and police.

Only the military and the church are given a noticeably

positive reception from the citizens of this Central American

country.

Besides trade, the newly added clothes and footwear

and laundry detergent and household cleaner manufacturers

lead the global economic sectors ranking. At the opposite end

of the scale, the automotive industry – rocked by emissions

scandals and product recalls – has suffered a significant loss

of trust in a number of countries, particularly in Germany,

Japan, Italy, Sweden and the USA.

The Institutions and Economic Sectors Global Trust

Report is published by GfK Verein every two years. The next

edition will be released in early 2019.

Ronald Frank /// GfK Verein

Introduction /// Trust in times of uncertainty / 2

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1 Global trust

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At 57%, the average level of trust placed in institutions

in the countries studied in 2017 remains virtually stable. The

nations recording the highest amount of trust clock up slight

increases on 2015. These include the populous countries of

India and Indonesia, which contribute to the global average

with a correspondingly higher proportion of citizens. Strong

approval ratings are also reported in the Netherlands, which

sees a slight improvement in its overall score, and in Iran,

which joined the study for the first time this year. In contrast,

the trust in institutions expressed by South Africans and

Swedes in particular has dropped. Mexicans, whose country

was added to the study in 2017, put the least amount of trust

in institutions of all the nations investigated. Italy and Spain,

which rank immediately above Mexico, have both seen a

small rise in trust compared with 2015.

Of all the institutions included in the survey, the military

once again occupies pole position in the global comparison

with an unchanged score of 79%, topping the ranking in 11 of

the 25 countries studied. The police are the most positively

rated institution in six of the countries investigated, climbing to

sixth on the international scale. However, the range of results

collected for the police is wider than for any other institution.

While Mexicans are very suspicious of the police, with only

12% having confidence in the institution, Iranians put the most

trust in their police force (94%) of all the nationalities

surveyed. Despite declining marginally from 70% to 67%, the

trust placed in the respective local currencies takes second

place in the global ranking. This development is described in

more detail on the following page.

The church heads the institutions ranking in four

countries, inspiring the most trust in the Philippines at 85%.

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are viewed more

favourably around the world, but only occupy the top spot in

South Korea. The Internet records the greatest increase in

trust in 2017, leaping from 51% to 58%.

Political parties find themselves last on the global scale.

What's more, this result is virtually universal across the board,

as when the results from all the nations are taken into

account, political parties record the smallest range in ratings

of all the institutions.

Global /// Institutions

More than 28,000 respondents in 25 countries represent close to 2.5 billion people.

Institutions

57

0 20 40 60 80 100

Mexico India

Highest level of trust

Lowest level of trust

79%

Politicalparties

28%

Range and average across all countries

Military/army

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Currency is in second place in the international

comparison of institutions. Around two-thirds of people trust

their respective local currency, which represents a slight

overall decline compared with 2015. Currency even tops the

national trust ranking in three countries, namely Turkey,

Indonesia and Switzerland .

The perceived reliability of the different currencies

varies significantly from country to country. While the Swiss,

faced with the lowest rate of inflation, trust their currency the

most, the people of Iran, which has the second-highest

inflation rate of all the countries investigated, are very

sceptical of their currency, the rial. Only Russia had higher

inflation in 2015. Despite this, slightly more than half of

Russian citizens still have confidence in the rouble, putting the

country in the bottom third of the global comparison.

There is a great disparity between the current value of

the local currency and the way it is perceived in three of the

countries taking part in this study. Despite the high rates of

inflation in India and Indonesia, the people have great faith in

their respective currencies. In Italy, meanwhile, the euro

continues to earn the trust of very few citizens, in spite of low

depreciation.

From an economic perspective, it is not only the

absolute level of inflation which is decisive, but also how it

changes over time. According to the World Bank, compared

with the highs of 9 to 12% recorded between 2010 and 2013,

inflation in India has more recently been rising by a noticeably

smaller amount. After climbing by 6.4% in 2014, prices rose

by 5.9% in 2015. In Indonesia, on the other hand, it is likely

that consumers are undergoing a period of acclimatisation, as

the inflation rate in the country has been hovering at around

6% for the last 10 years.

In the eurozone country of Italy, the situation is

somewhat different. Although inflation is significantly below

2% as a result of the ongoing weak economy, for some time

now public opinion has been characterised by feelings of

scepticism towards the euro and the EU in general. The same

applies to a lesser extent in France and Spain, although in all

three countries, the proportion of people expressing trust in

the euro has increased.

Global /// Currency

Currency

67

0 20 40 60 80 100

Iran Switzerland

Inflation rate 2015:

Highest inflation rate


Lowestinflation rate

RU 15.5%

IR 13.7%

BR 9.0%

CH -1.1%

PL -1.0%

ES -0.5%

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9The average level of trust placed by all countries in the

economic sectors investigated by the study stands at 69% in

2017. This figure can only be compared with the results from

previous years to a limited extent because three new sectors

have been added to the survey. Overall, India and Indonesia

jointly head the global sectors ranking, while Turkey finds itself

at the bottom of the scale. Iran, Italy and South Korea are tied

in penultimate place, only slightly above Turkey. Of all the

sectors examined, the newly added clothes and footwear

manufacturing industry is in pole position in six countries. With

a global average of 75%, it also ranks as the most trustworthy

sector. Trade follows closely behind with a rating of 74%,

topping the table in 8 countries. The proportion of people

putting trust in these two sectors varies relatively little from

country to country. In contrast, the range in ratings recorded for

energy and water suppliers, which are perceived as the most

trustworthy sector in three countries, is considerably greater. In

general, the variety of sectors heading the respective country

rankings is greater than in the case of the institutions. This year,

consumer electronics and household appliance manufacturers,

pharmaceutical companies and the finance sector, which is in

the bottom third of the global ranking, each occupy pole position

in two countries. Meanwhile, commerce and food

manufacturers each top the ranking in one country. While the

financial sector polarised opinion the most in 2015, in 2017 this

accolade goes to airlines and the automotive industry. This can

chiefly be attributed to the low amount of trust bestowed upon

these two sectors by Iranians. The debate surrounding

manipulated emissions tests may also be a factor here in

relation to car manufacturers, with the global trust expressed in

the automotive sector dropping by four percentage points. The

faith felt in consumer electronics manufacturers has fallen by

the same extent.

The proportion of people who trust their fellow citizens

remains virtually stable at 70%. While the Dutch and Indians

are particularly trusting, fewer than 40% of Filipinos and

Nigerians, whose countries are affected by higher amounts of

corruption, have confidence in those around them. There is also

a strong climate of corruption in Iran, where just over one in ten

feel they can count on their fellow citizens. There are two

exceptions worth mentioning here. Firstly, in Japan, which is

virtually free of corruption, the trust felt towards fellow citizens is

low, while in India, which has a significantly greater level of

perceived corruption, other people are viewed as very

trustworthy.

Global /// Economic sectors and fellow citizens

Turkey India

Telecommunications,Internet service providers

Economic sectors


People generally

70

0 20 40 60 80 100


69

0 20 40 60 80 100

Iran Netherlands

Highest level of trust

Lowest level of trust

Clothes and footwear manufacturers

75%

62%

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Austria

Belgium

France

Germany

Italy

PolandRussia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

UK

NetherlandsUSA

Turkey

Brazil

India

Indonesia

Japan

South Korea

Kenya

Nigeria

South Africa

IranPhilippines

Mexico

40

50

60

70

80

90

30 40 50 60 70 80

Tru

st in

eco

nom

ic s

ecto

rs

Trust in institutions

Avg. 69%

Avg. 57%

Global /// Level of trust 2017: Institutions and economic sectors(Average of "I completely/generally trust" across all institutions and economic sectors, in %)

The size of the points shown represents the share of the population in the countriesBase: 28,373 respondents

EuropeNorth and South America

Asia and the Pacific

Africa

In the countries positioned top right, trust in both

institutions and economic sectors is particularly high, while in the countries on the bottom left confidence in both is below average. In Iran, citizens have very high trust in their country's institutions, but comparatively little in their economic sectors.

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49 49 48 47 46 44 44 42 42 40 39 38 36

6048 43

49 46

-

4837 40 40 36 35

-

60

46 47

60

42

-

41 43 4636 36 35

-

2017 2015 2013

72 68 63 63 59 57 56 55 54 52 51 51 49

69 6559

-

6356 55

6353 55

48 48 5360

5158

-

5953 51

6153

5948 46

-

At a glance /// Trust in institutions(Average of "I completely/generally trust" across all institutions, in %)

Base: 28,373 respondents; *Restricted comparability: 2015 and 2013 due to Kenya (newly added) and Egypt (excluded); 2015 and 2017 due to Philippines, Iran, Mexico (newly added) and Argentina, Canada, Australia (excluded)

India Indonesia Netherlands Iran Switzerland Belgium South Africa UK USA Russia Germany Kenya

Sweden Austria France Turkey Nigeria Philippines Poland South Korea Brazil Japan Spain Italy Mexico

Avg.Total*

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At a glance /// Institutions with the highest trust rating per country 2017

Switzerland

Currency 91%

UK

Military/army 82%

France

Military/army 87%

USA

Military/army 84%

Italy

Military/army 64%

Mexico

Military/army 65%

Spain

Police 73%Brazil

Military/army 75%

South Africa

Church 73%

Nigeria

Church 75%

Iran

Police 94%

Kenya

Church 74%

India

Military/army 89%

Indonesia

Currency 87%

Philippines

Church 85%

South Korea

NGOs 61%

Japan

Military/army 69%

Turkey

Currency 55%

Russia

Military/army 77%

Austria

Police 74%

Poland

Military/army 71%

Germany

Police 85%

Sweden

Police 75%

Belgium

Military/army 86%

Netherlands

Police 82%

Base: 28,373 respondents

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58

56

55

54

51

28

51

55

53

57

53

30

52

49

49

55

41

18

2017 2015 2013

At a glance /// Trust in institutions: Average across all countries(Average of "I completely/generally trust" across all institutions, in %)


79

67

63

60

59

59

79

70

62

56

58

55

79

65

66

55

51

53

Military/army

Currency

Church

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

Justice system/courts

Police

Internet

Large companies/international corporations

Public administration and authorities

Media (TV, radio, newspapers)

Government

Political parties

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79

67

63

60

59

59

0 20 40 60 80 100

At a glance /// Trust in institutions 2017: Range and average across all countries("I completely/generally trust"/minimum, maximum rating and average/data in %)

Range Average across all countries


58

56

55

54

51

28

0 20 40 60 80 100

Iran Switzerland

Japan Philippines

Japan Iran

Mexico India

Mexico Iran

Japan India

Sweden Iran

Mexico Switzerland

Mexico India

Spain Switzerland

Brazil India

South Korea

Iran

Military/army

Currency

Church



Police

Internet


Public administrationand authorities


Government

Political parties

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At a glance /// Level of trust 2017: Institutions and Democracy Index("I completely/generally trust" in institutions/in %/Democracy Index 0 to 10 points)



Africa

Austria

Belgium

France

Germany

Italy

Poland

Russia

Spain

SwedenSwitzerland

UKNetherlands

USA

Turkey

Brazil

India

Indonesia

Japan

South Korea

Kenya

Nigeria

South Africa

Iran

PhilippinesMexico

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

30 40 50 60 70 80

Dem

ocra

cy I

ndex

Trust in institutions

Avg. 57%


Fla

wed

de

moc

racy

Ful

l de

moc

racy

Hyb

ridre

gim

eA

utho

ritar

ian

regi

me

When comparing the average trust in institutions

with the Democracy Index, the majority of countries are clustered around this average. However, in authoritarian and hybrid regimes, the level of trust expressed is below average. Iran is an exception to this. Here, the average trust rating is higher despite a very low Democracy Index score.

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AustriaBelgiumFrance

Germany

Italy

Poland

Russia

Spain

Sweden

SwitzerlandUKNetherlands

USA

Turkey

Brazil

IndiaIndonesia

Japan

South Korea

Kenya

Nigeria

South Africa

Iran

PhilippinesMexico

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Dem

ocra

cy I

ndex

Trust in government

At a glance /// Level of trust 2017: Government and Democracy Index("I completely/generally trust" in government/in %/Democracy Index 0 to 10 points)



Africa

Avg. 51%


In the Netherlands and Switzerland, particularly high

trust is placed in the government. Both countries are classified as full democracies according to the Democracy Index. Although the same applies to Spain, trust in the elected government is low. The reverse is observed in Russia –while the Democracy Index ranks the country as an authoritarian regime, a high proportion of Russians have confidence in the current government.

Fla

wed

de

moc

racy

Ful

l de

moc

racy

Hyb

ridre

gim

eA

utho

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ian

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At a glance /// Level of trust 2017: Political parties and Democracy Index("I completely/generally trust" in political parties/in %/Democracy Index 0 to 10 points)



Africa

Austria

BelgiumFrance

GermanyItaly

Poland

Russia

Spain

Sweden

SwitzerlandUK Netherlands

USA

Turkey

Brazil India

IndonesiaJapan

South Korea

Kenya

Nigeria

South Africa

Iran

PhilippinesMexico

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Dem

ocra

cy I

ndex

Trust in political parties

Avg. 28%


Fla

wed

de

moc

racy

Ful

l de

moc

racy

Hyb

ridre

gim

eA

utho

ritar

ian

regi

me

A similar picture is painted for political parties as for

governments, although trust in the former is significantly lower.

In Europe, both the consensus-minded Netherlands and Switzerland, with its numerous instruments of direct democracy,head the ranking.

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91 87 8375 72 71 70 70 68 67 64 62 61

92 8780

86

69 7280

71 72 70 65 60 65

9080

66

87

6066

74 7464 65

-

54

80

58 56 55 54 54 53 50 49 48 43 3830 26

57

7062

52 51 5042

-

44

-

53

26

-

38

66

81

57

40

59

42

-

35

-

52

30

-

2017 2015 2013

At a glance /// Trust in currency: Average across all countries(Average of "I completely/generally trust", in %)

IndiaIndonesia Netherlands

Iran

Switzerland Belgium

South Africa

UK USA

RussiaGermany

KenyaSweden

Austria FranceTurkey NigeriaPhilippines

Poland

South Korea

BrazilJapan

Spain ItalyMexico


Avg.Total*

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Avg. 67%

At a glance /// Level of trust 2017: Currency and inflation rate("I completely/generally trust" in currency/inflation rate per country/in %)

The trust placed by citizens in their respective local currency varies

widely. Overall, the people of Switzerland, the country with the lowest rate of inflation, place the most trust in their currency. Meanwhile, in Iran, the country with the second-highest inflation rate, very few people have confidence in the rial. On the other hand, despite high price rises in India and Indonesia, these countries' citizens express strong trust in their respective currencies. In euroscepticItaly, people are still very wary of their currency, despite low inflation.



Africa

Belgium

France GermanyItaly

Poland

Russia

Spain SwedenSwitzerland

Netherlands

Iran

USA

UK

Turkey

Philippines

Indonesia

JapanSouth Korea

Austria

Kenya

Mexico

Nigeria

South Africa

Brazil

India

-2-10123456789

1011121314151617

20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Infla

tion

rate

Trust in currency


ECB targetslightly

below 2%

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63 61 60 59 59 58 58 57 57 53 53 53 51

80 79 74 71 70 69 69 67 65 64 63 63 63

At a glance /// Trust in economic sectors 2017: Average across all countries(Average of "I completely/generally trust" across all economic sectors, in %)


Indonesia Netherlands

Iran

SwitzerlandBelgiumSouth Africa UK USA

Russia

Germany

Kenya Sweden

Austria

France TurkeyNigeria PhilippinesPoland South KoreaBrazilJapan

Spain

Italy

MexicoIndiaAvg.Total

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At a glance /// Economic sectors with the highest trust rating per country 2017

UK

Trade 76%

Switzerland

Energy and water suppliers 88%

Belgium

Trade 85%

Sweden


Netherlands

Trade 89%

Poland


Germany

Trade 85%

Austria

Trade 83%

Russia

Trade 74%

Turkey

Clothes and footwear manufacturers 59%

Japan

Consumer electr./hh appliance manufact. 70%

South Korea

Cons. electr./hh appliance manufacturers 65%

Philippines

Pharmaceutical companies 75%

Indonesia


India

Banks, insurance companies 88%

Kenya


Iran

Pharmaceutical companies 99%

Nigeria

Banks, insurance companies 67%

South Africa

Food manufacturers 83%

Brazil


Spain

Trade 84%

Mexico


Italy

Trade 71%

USA


France

Commerce 85%

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At a glance /// Trust in economic sectors 2017: Average across all countries(Average of "I completely/generally trust", in %)

Base: 28,373 respondents*Restricted comparability: 2015 and 2013 due to Kenya (newly added) and Egypt (excluded); 2015 and 2017 due to Philippines, Iran, Mexico (newly added) and Argentina,

Canada, Australia (excluded); 2017 newly added: clothes and footwear manufacturers, laundry detergent and household cleaner manufacturers, toy manufacturers


Trade (plumbers and electricians, painters, carpenters and joiners etc.)

Laundry detergent and household cleaner manufacturers

Consumer electronics and household appliance manufacturers

Energy and water suppliers

Pharmaceutical companies

Software and computer manufacturers

Food manufacturers

Commerce

Automotive industry, car manufacturers

Banks, insurance companies

Airlines

Toy manufacturers

Telecommunications, Internet service providers

69

68

66

65

65

65

62

71

66

70

65

64

-

63

63

62

62

62

60

-

60

2017 2015 2013

75

74

73

71

70

70

69

-

73

-

75

67

70

68

-

69

-

74

67

67

64

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75

74

73

71

70

70

69

0 20 40 60 80 100

At a glance /// Trust in economic sectors 2017: Range and average across all countries(Average of "I completely/generally trust" across all economic sectors/minimum, maximum value and average/in %)

Range Average across all countries


69

68

66

65

65

65

62

0 20 40 60 80 100

Switzerland Indonesia

Nigeria Netherlands

South Korea Mexico/India

Nigeria Switzerland

Japan India

France India

Turkey Netherlands

Iran Indonesia

Italy India

Iran Belgium

Iran Indonesia

USA Iran

Japan Indonesia








Food manufacturers

Commerce



Airlines

Toy manufacturers


Iran Netherlands

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70 68 65 65 62 61 5852 49 45

3932

12

6975

64 63 59

33

70

4942

49

-

35

-

7076

69 7078

-

62

49 44 49

-

35

-

2017 2015 2013

89 86 81 80 80 79 78 75 75 75 74 71 71

85 80 84 84 81 79 80 77

-

6659

8173

8882 85 83

71 7178 76

-

77

54

77 72

At a glance /// Trust in fellow citizens("I completely/generally trust" in people generally/in %)

Avg.Total*

IndonesiaNetherlands Switzerland Belgium

South Africa

UK

USA

GermanySpain MexicoIndia

Iran

AustriaSweden Russia

KenyaFrance Turkey NigeriaPhilippines

Poland

South Korea Brazil JapanItaly


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Austria

Belgium

France

Germany

Italy

Poland

Russia

Spain

Sweden

SwitzerlandUK

Netherlands

USA

TurkeyBrazil

India

Indonesia

Japan

South Korea

KenyaNigeria

South Africa

Iran

Philippines

Mexico

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

CP

I

Trust in people generally

Avg. 70%

At a glance /// Level of trust 2017: Fellow citizens and Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)("I completely/generally trust" in people generally/in %/CPI 0 to 100 points)




Africa

Generally speaking, trust in fellow citizens is lower when

there is a high perceived level of corruption.

There are, however, two exceptions to this rule. The Japanese place very little trust in their fellow citizens despite virtually no corruption, while Indians are very trusting of those around them even though they face a much greater level of perceived corruption.

Hig

h pe

rcei

ved

corr

uptio

nP

erce

ived

co

rrup

tion

Har

dly

any

perc

eive

d co

rrup

tion

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2 Europe in detail

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In 2017, the institution perceived by Austrians as by far

the most trustworthy continues to be the police, with three-

quarters of the population regarding law enforcers as reliable.

The army has achieved a strong increase in trust to 64%,

taking it to second place on the ranking. The government has

invested in internal security and defense, recruiting more

police officers and agreeing on a military reform which will

enable the army to respond more quickly to incidents such as

terrorist threats. NGOs, the media and the Internet each

engender the trust of around half of Austrians. However, while

the credibility of NGOs is declining, traditional forms of media,

especially the Internet, are viewed more positively than in

2015. These two institutions came under criticism during the

presidential election campaign. While the right-wing populist

party FPÖ accused the media of bias, the opposition

reproached the FPÖ for trying to influence public opinion on

social media. The fiercely fought election campaign between

FPÖ candidate Norbert Hofer and the independent candidate

Alexander Van der Bellen did not, however, influence the level

of trust placed in the political world. The percentage of

Austrians expressing confidence in the government and

political parties remains the same at 36% and 24%

respectively. After the first election in May 2016 was

contested by the FPÖ on the basis of irregularities, the

election was re-run in December 2016. Van der Bellen won

both elections by a very narrow margin. There has also been

some reshuffling at the lower end of the institutions ranking.

For example, while trust in large companies has increased,

citizens are more sceptical of the church.

Trade retains its position as the most reliable economic

sector, achieving a score of 83%. It is once again followed by

energy and water suppliers in second place, with 80%, and

airlines, which are trusted by approximately three-quarters of

citizens, in third place. Commerce and clothes and footwear

manufacturers follow behind with slightly lower trust ratings.

The middle of the pack comprises several industries, each of

which are trusted by around two-thirds of the population. Of

these sectors, food manufacturers and the IT industry have

experienced particular improvements in popularity compared

with 2015. The latter nevertheless still occupies the

penultimate place in the 2017 ranking. At 52%, banks and

insurance companies continue to find themselves at the tail

end of the ranking, despite witnessing a small rise in trust.

8.5 mPopulation

67%Share of working

population (15-64 years)

98%

CPI 76= hardly any

perceived corruption

8.54 Democracy

Index =full

democracy

0.9%GDP growth

rate 2015

0.9%Inflationrate 2015

Austria /// Findings

Share of pop. at least secondaryeducated (20-64 years)

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28

47

39

36

26

24

71

37

30

36

39

24

73

38

30

37

39

19

72

2017 2015 2013

Austria /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)

Base: 1,035 respondents; note: change of institute and methodology

74

64

62

59

54

50

49

77

51

63

63

51

59

44

75

51

63

64

40

56

47

Police

Military/army



Currency



Internet


Government

Church

Political parties

I trust people generally

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Austria /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)

Base: 1,035 respondents; *2017 newly added; note: change of institute and methodology



Airlines

Commerce

Clothes and footwear manufacturers*


Toy manufacturers*

Laundry detergent and household cleaner manufacturers*

Food manufacturers






66

63

63

63

61

60

52

-

58

66

62

57

53

49

-

62

66

64

53

53

58

2017 2015 2013

83

80

73

70

70

68

67

79

75

70

66

-

67

-

85

74

64

69

-

67

-

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Although the trust expressed by Belgians in their

country's economic sectors and institutions remains stable on

average in 2017, there have been a number of changes in the

individual ratings. For example, the military (86%) and police

(84%) have recorded noteworthy gains in trust, resulting in the

army even replacing the police at the top of the ranking.

Observers had already put Belgium at high risk of terrorist

attacks in 2015. Then, in March 2016, IS terrorists committed

suicide attacks at Brussels Airport and on the underground,

leaving many people dead or injured. Despite a few flaws in

the subsequent investigation, it is probable that the effective

response to the attacks has heightened people’s confidence

in the security forces.

The current Belgian government led by Prime Minister

Charles Michel has been in power since the end of 2014. Its

work is therefore being appraised by this study for the first

time. The results make pleasant reading for Michel, as the

confidence rating has risen from 40% to 47% compared with

the level of trust inspired by the previous government. The

proportion of citizens putting trust in the justice system (60%)

has also increased by 7 percentage points. The Belgian

economy also enjoyed positive growth in 2015. However, the

trust felt for large companies has declined noticeably by 10

percentage points to 35%, putting these institutions in

penultimate place. This could partly be attributed to tax

legislation, which reduced the corporate income tax rate for

international corporations. The EU has since declared this

practice as unlawful. Viewed as reliable by just under a

quarter of the population, political parties are the only

institution to fare more poorly than large companies.

The industries at the very top of the economic sectors

ranking have slightly consolidated their lead, each seeing a

slight increase in their ratings. As was also the case in

previous years, Belgians find trade the most trustworthy

economic sector (85%). With 82%, airlines reside in second

place, having overtaken commerce, which now finds itself

third in the ranking, jointly tied with the newly added toy

manufacturing sector on 77%. The sectors at the lower end of

the scale, on the other hand, are witnessing a decline in trust.

Here, food manufacturers and the financial sector share last

place, both with 56%. The automotive industry has suffered a

very noticeable drop in popularity, losing 17 percentage points

to land in third-to-last place.

Belgium /// Findings

11.3 m Population

65%Share of working


94%

CPI 77= hardly any


7.93 Democracy

Index =flawed

democracy

1.4%GDP growth

rate 2015



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Belgium /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


Military/army

Police

Currency




Government


Internet

Church


Political parties


47

45

42

35

23

79

53

48

39

45

21

79

48

48

30

41

22

71

2017 2015 2013

86

84

71

70

65

60

47

76

78

72

67

64

53

40

72

75

66

62

63

47

44

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Belgium /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)

Base: 1,023 respondents; *2017 newly added


Airlines

Commerce

Toy manufacturers*










Food manufacturers

68

68

65

60

60

56

56

-

-

65

59

77

62

62

-

-

66

57

74

57

67

2017 2015 2013

85

82

77

77

72

72

71

82

78

79

-

73

72

74

79

75

78

-

62

74

78

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The amount of trust bestowed upon institutions in

France has risen in most cases. This is even the case at the

top of the scale, which is occupied by the military (87%) and

police (78%). In the wake of several terrorist attacks, their

popularity can probably be partly ascribed to the increased

presence of security forces, especially during major events

like the UEFA Euro 2016 championship. Public administration

and authorities follow security forces in third place with 69%.

Greater confidence is also currently being placed in France's

currency, the euro, as well as in large companies, both of

which have seen their ratings rise by 8 percentage points to

50% and 38% respectively.

Looking at the lower end of the ranking, it becomes

apparent that there are great discrepancies between the

various trust ratings awarded in France. This is made

particularly clear by the comparison between the military,

which is in pole position with 87%, and political parties, which

come last with just 6%. The government, currently led by

President François Hollande, continues to reside in

penultimate place with 17%. This extremely low score could

stem from the fact that the government has largely failed to

increase economic growth and lower unemployment. The

labour market only began to show signs of improvement again

in autumn 2016.

The economic sectors at the head of the ranking are

also enjoying greater trust. As in 2015, commerce takes the

top spot with 85%, closely followed by trade with 82% and

airlines with 78%. Toy manufacturers, which feature in the

study for the first time, achieve a trust rating of 71%, putting

them fourth on the scale. The pharmaceutical industry has

fallen most out of favour, dropping by 8 percentage points to

49%. There are several possible reasons for this. For

example, one person died and several people fell ill during a

clinical trial at the start of 2016. Moreover, in autumn 2015,

the courts convicted pharmaceutical giant Servier under civil

law for one of the largest ever drug scandals in France, which

was estimated to have killed at least 500 people. Then, in

August 2016, it was announced that over the last few years

around 10,000 women had been prescribed an anti-epilepsy

drug during pregnancy, even though it was already known

that this drug could cause developmental delays in children or

even birth defects. Banks and food manufacturers have

swapped positions at the very bottom of the scale, the latter

occupying last place in 2017.

France /// Findings

64.4 m Population

62%Share of working


87%

CPI 70= hardly any


7.92 Democracy

Index =flawed

democracy

1.2%GDP growth

rate 2015

±0.0%Inflationrate 2015


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France /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


Military/army

Police




Currency

Church


Internet


Government

Political parties


38

38

29

17

6

65

30

34

29

16

6

64

35

48

33

30

13

69

2017 2015 2013

87

78

69

66

52

50

45

79

71

59

62

49

42

44

79

69

64

61

49

42

42

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France /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


Commerce


Airlines

Toy manufacturers*










Food manufacturers

67

62

61

49

44

37

36

67

-

-

57

43

34

34

60

-

-

53

48

34

44

2017 2015 2013

85

82

78

71

68

68

67

80

75

72

-

68

68

65

83

80

72

-

65

71

68

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36In 2017, the overall trust placed in institutions in Germany

has risen by three percentage points compared with 2015. This

is chiefly due to growth in the ratings attained by the institutions

at the top of the scale. For example, the police clock up an

increase of five percentage points, which is sufficient to keep

them in pole position. The proportion of citizens engendering

trust in the army has even climbed by 9 percentage points to

64%, placing the military fourth in the ranking. It seems as if

Germans are rewarding the security forces for their efforts in

handling the refugee crisis and protecting the country from

terrorism. The German Army has stepped up its support of the

fight against the IS terror group in Syria and Iraq, predominantly

by deploying reconnaissance and tanker aircraft. The justice

system and public administration, both of which are enjoying

improved ratings and are viewed as dependable by around two-

thirds of Germans, find themselves second and third on the

scale. This means that the top four places are taken by state

institutions, a result which, to some extent, can doubtlessly be

attributed to corruption being at an almost imperceptible level.

Political parties, however, are at the very bottom of the ranking,

having earned the trust of just 18% of citizens. The government

is currently trusted by 38% of Germans. This represents a slight

decline on 2015, which is nevertheless not significant enough to

be described as a "loss of confidence".

On average, the economic sectors instil faith in just under

two-thirds of Germans. This high score is partly owed to the

sectors included in the study for the first time. For example,

manufacturers of laundry detergent and household cleaners are

trusted by 70% of citizens (place 5), while clothes and footwear

manufacturers are currently second with 74%. Only the trade

sector inspires more confidence in the German people. Energy

and water suppliers have seen their trust rating increase for the

second time in a row, climbing considerably to 69%. The

commitment of power suppliers to increasing the share of

renewables in the energy supply is probably contributing to this

result. The greatest rise in trust is recorded by food

manufacturers, which have leapt by 11 percentage points to

56%. According to studies, Germans are placing more and

more value on high-quality food, and organic produce is gaining

in popularity. The automotive industry, on the other hand, finds

itself towards the bottom of the scale for the first time, with only

the financial and telecommunications sectors performing more

poorly. Its decrease of 17 percentage points is probably due to

the exhaust emissions scandal, which hit headlines in 2015.

After the test manipulations at VW were uncovered, it soon

emerged that other manufacturers had adopted similar

practices.

Germany /// Findings

80.7 mPopulation

66%Share of working


97%

CPI 81= hardly any


8.64 Democracy

Index =full

democracy

1.7%GDP growth

rate 2015



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Germany /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


Police



Military/army


Currency


Church

Government

Internet


Political parties


40

38

35

30

18

78

35

40

31

27

19

80

39

34

34

26

16

78

2017 2015 2013

85

67

65

64

64

58

45

80

64

60

55

63

57

47

81

65

58

57

59

38

43

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Germany /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)




Airlines



Commerce


Toy manufacturers*


Food manufacturers





64

60

56

55

53

47

35

-

56

45

53

70

46

33

-

58

48

55

71

46

29

2017 2015 2013

85

74

73

72

70

70

69

85

-

74

74

-

69

61

87

-

69

78

-

69

51

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Germany /// Trust in institutions A comparison of East and West Germany("I completely/generally trust"/in %)

Even more than 25 years after the reunification, there are striking

differences between East and West Germany in terms of the trust

expressed in institutions. For example, while the average trust rating

across all institutions stands at 52% in West Germany, this figure is lower

in East Germany, at 43%. Above all, the justice system and public

administration are perceived more negatively in the East. This is

doubtlessly due to the experiences of East Germans, particularly those

the older generations, with the system in the former German Democratic

Republic and the changes implemented after 1989. While the trust

earned by the justice system and public administration has increased in

West Germany in comparison with 2015, in East Germany it has stayed

the same.

Overall, however, the proportion of citizens voicing trust in

institutions has grown in both parts of Germany. For example, the police

and military are each viewed more favourably. Confidence in the church

has also gone up in both regions, although East Germans remain more

critical. In contrast, while the percentage of East Germans placing trust in

the government and their fellow citizens has fallen, this figure remains

stable in the West. This could be the result of the slogans and protests of

the Pegida movement, which receives much more support in the East

than in the West.0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Police


Public administration

Military/army

NGOs

Currency

Media

Church

Government

Internet

Large companies

Political parties

People generally


West 2015

East 2015

West 2017

East 2017

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Germany /// Trust in institutions A comparison of East and West Germany by age group("I completely/generally trust"/in %)

On taking a closer look at the average trust rating, it is apparent

that West Germans under 50 place the most trust in institutions.

Conversely, older East Germans are most apprehensive of institutions

and are also significantly more sceptical than younger East Germans.

This applies almost across the board with just a few exceptions. For

instance, in East Germany, the proportion of citizens who have

confidence in the church is very low, regardless of age. This is

undoubtedly a consequence of the legacy of state atheism in the

former German Democratic Republic. While younger generations,

especially in the East, have greater trust in the Internet, West Germans

over 50 are most mistrustful of the world wide web.

Base: 2,016 respondents0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

West older than 50

East older than 50

West younger than 50

East younger than 50

51 52 5043 42

53 5147

41

Total 2017 2015 2017 2015 <50 Y. 50+ <50 Y. 50+

West East West East

Institutions: Average trust level

Police


Public administration

Military/army

NGOs

Currency

Media

Church

Government

Internet

Large companies

Political parties

People generally

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Germany /// Trust in economic sectors A comparison of East and West Germany("I completely/generally trust"/in %)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100Base: 2,016 respondents

In 2017, East Germans find the various economic sectors

more trustworthy than West Germans in almost all cases. This even

applies to the sectors added to the study this year, with clothes and

footwear manufacturers and toy manufacturers being evaluated

considerably more positively in the East than in the West.

The greatest changes in trust compared with 2015, however,

are perceptible in both West and East Germany. For example,

confidence in energy and water suppliers has improved in both

parts of the country. Although the significant increase in trust in

food manufacturers is expressed somewhat more strongly in East

Germany, this trend is apparent in West Germany as well.

The decline suffered by the automotive industry is mostly due

to stronger feelings of mistrust among West Germans.

Nevertheless, the sector has lost noticeable credibility in the eyes

of East Germans as well.

West 2015

East 2015

West 2017

East 2017

Trade


Airlines

Consumer electronics andhousehold appliance manufacturers

Laundry detergent andhousehold cleaner manufacturers

Commerce


Toy manufacturers


Food manufacturers





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Germany /// Trust in economic sectors A comparison of East and West Germany by age group("I completely/generally trust"/in %)

As is the case with institutions, older generations are

generally more critical of their country's economic sectors than

younger people. Discrepancies can be found between East and

West Germany, however. While East Germans under 50 are most

trusting of economic sectors, older West Germans are most

sceptical. As with the Internet, younger East Germans are more

likely to have confidence in the IT sector. However, the trend is

bucked when it comes to the financial sector. Occupying last place,

it is regarded least favourably by younger East Germans.


West older than 50

East older than 50

West younger than 50

East younger than 50

63 6267 65

59

6965

Total 2017 2017 <50 Y. 50+ <50 Y. 50+

Economic sectors: Average trust level

Trade


Airlines



Commerce


Toy manufacturers


Food manufacturers





West East West East

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43On average, only 38% of Italians trust the institutions in

their country. This means that Italy, together with Spain, still

finds itself very near the bottom of the international

comparison. With the trust of just under two-thirds of Italians,

the military and police head the ranking by a clear margin,

having both experienced slight increases in their ratings. The

justice system is positioned in the middle of the pack, its score

jumping to 35%, perhaps as a result of recent successes in the

fight against the Mafia. In March 2016, the largest Mafia trial to

ever take place in Northern Italy commenced with 147

defendants. Moreover, in 2016, two Mafia bosses who had

been on the run for years were caught in the space of a few

months. While the third-placed NGOs currently instil faith in

one in two Italians, the remaining institutions are trusted by

less than half of the population. Although public administration

is in third-to-last place, with 28%, it witnesses the greatest

upturn in trust of 9 percentage points. At the end of 2015, the

postal service, railways and air traffic control were partially

privatised. It is possible that many Italians are hoping that the

new owners will be able to rectify the current shortcomings in

quality. The government and political parties continue to

occupy the final two spots on the ranking. Despite experiencing

slight improvements, to 19% and 11% respectively, their trust

ratings remain very low. During the local elections in mid-2016,

the ruling centre-left PD party suffered losses, failing to retain

mayoral seats in a number of large cities including Rome. PD

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi stepped down in December 2016

after his plans for constitutional reform were rejected. At the

start of 2017, Italy’s political future remained uncertain.

On average, 53% of respondents feel that they can count

on the economic sectors investigated. The trade sector is

perceived as the most trustworthy with a rating of 71%. Clothes

and footwear manufacturers find themselves second on the

scale with 64%. This result is hardly surprising given the

international success of Italian fashion designers. The

pharmaceutical and telecommunications sectors, each with

47%, are at the lower end of the ranking, followed by food

manufacturers, which currently engender the trust of just 46%

of citizens. The decline in trust experienced by the latter sector

could be due to the string of food scandals which hit the

headlines in 2016. The financial sector (22%), which has been

rocked by problems, including those faced by long-standing

bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena, is in very last place by a clear

margin.

Italy /// Findings

59.8 mPopulation

64%Share of working


93%

CPI 44= high

perceivedcorruption

7.98 Democracy

Index =flawed

democracy

0.8%GDP growth

rate 2015

±0.0%Inflationrate 2015


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44

32

30

28

19

11

52

28

26

19

16

8

49

29

30

20

15

6

49

2017 2015 2013

Italy /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


64

62

50

45

45

35

32

61

58

53

44

46

29

30

62

58

54

42

46

30

30

Military/army

Police


Internet

Church




Currency


Government

Political parties


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Italy /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)






Airlines

Toy manufacturers*

Commerce






Food manufacturers


53

51

50

47

47

46

22

54

55

52

48

47

52

23

52

48

49

49

43

50

20

2017 2015 2013

71

64

60

59

58

57

56

75

63

54

58

69

58

53

50

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46With just shy of 90%, the Dutch, together with Indians,

are the international frontrunners in terms of the level of trust

placed in people in general. At around two-thirds of the

population, the average proportion of people expressing

confidence in Dutch institutions is also very pronounced. Here,

the security forces stand out in particular, with the police and

military viewed as reliable by 82% and 79% of respondents

respectively. The Dutch currency, the euro, is also trusted by a

very high percentage of citizens in comparison with the other

countries surveyed. The strong performance of all state

institutions is probably related to the scarcely perceivable level

of corruption in the country.

At 65%, the trust earned by the Dutch government is

also high and has increased in comparison with the previous

year. The opportunity introduced in summer 2015 to

indefinitely suspend, by means of referendums, laws which

have already been passed could be playing a role here. With a

score of just 43%, political parties replace the church at the

very bottom of the scale. Since parliamentary elections are

taking place in the Netherlands in March 2017, election

campaigns were in full swing at the time of writing. To date,

the manifesto of the right-wing populist party PVV has

attracted particular attention and includes controversial

objectives, such as the closure of all mosques. Polls suggest

that the PVV could become the strongest political force in the

country, although it is not expected to gain anywhere near the

number of votes needed to form a majority government.

With an average rating of 70%, Dutch economic sectors

are in the upper third of the global trust ranking. As was also

the case in 2015, trade and commerce head the ranking, this

year sharing the top spot, with 89%. They are followed by

airlines and toy manufacturers, each of which wins the trust of

almost 80% of Dutch people. In 2017, both software and

computer manufacturers (73%) and telecommunications and

Internet service providers (53%) record particularly noticeable

improvements in trust. It is likely that these two sectors are

benefiting from a law prohibiting discrimination against specific

Internet services with the aim of preserving net neutrality. By

enacting this law, the Netherlands plays a pioneering role in

net neutrality in the EU. Despite being evaluated more

positively, the telecommunications sector still finds itself near

the bottom of the ranking with almost the same score as the

pharmaceutical industry, which is trusted by around half of

Dutch citizens. Although banks and insurance companies are

currently enjoying a positive trend, they still come in last with

47%.

Netherlands /// Findings

16.9 mPopulation

65%Share of working


92%

CPI 87= hardly any


8.92 Democracy

Index =full

democracy

2.0%GDP growth

rate 2015



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Netherlands /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)

Police

Military/army


Currency


Government

Internet



Church


Political parties


Base: 1,020 respondents; note: change of methodology

61

51

49

46

43

89

61

52

38

50

42

85

60

48

39

43

42

88

2017 2015 2013

82

79

74

72

72

65

64

79

73

68

69

65

59

56

75

69

72

60

70

59

56

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Netherlands /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


Commerce

Airlines

Toy manufacturers*







Food manufacturers




Base: 1,020 respondents; *2017 newly added; note: change of methodology

73

72

60

57

53

51

47

70

-

63

53

43

49

43

66

-

66

67

40

52

41

2017 2015 2013

89

89

79

78

78

74

73

85

87

76

-

75

-

60

88

90

75

-

79

-

64

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49

After increasing in 2015, the overall trust bestowed upon

institutions in Poland in 2017 has fallen almost to the level

recorded in 2013. At 71%, the proportion of people expressing

trust in their fellow citizens is even lower than four years ago.

Despite these changes, the rank order of the institutions

investigated remains largely the same. The scale is headed

by the military (71%) and currency (68%). However, as is also

the case with the military, trust in currency has decreased by

4 percentage points, in spite of inflation standing at minus

1.0% according to the World Bank. The church, like the

police, may still engender the trust of more than half of

citizens, but it has suffered the greatest loss of all institutions

in largely Catholic Poland. In April 2016, it called for a blanket

ban on abortions, even demanding that current exemptions,

for example in the case of rape, be abolished. Many citizens

are critical of the church’s interference with politics and its

tight ties with the ruling national-conservative party PiS. Trust

in the media has also plummeted from 48% to 40%. At the

end of 2015, a law came into force which enables the

government to control state television and radio broadcasters.

Thousands of people protested against the move and the EU

even scrutinised the bill for possible infringements of

European rules, ultimately deciding against enforcing

sanctions. The government itself is the only institution to

continue to see a slight increase in trust, although its rating of

30% puts it only third from bottom. Only large companies

(29%) and political parties (17%) perform more poorly.

The trust earned by economic sectors in Poland is fairly

similar across the board, with the difference between the

rating achieved by energy and water suppliers in first place

and that attained by the financial sector in last place only

amounting to 25 percentage points. However, without

exception, the trust felt for the sectors examined is also in

decline. For example, software and computer manufacturers

and airlines, which both saw improved scores in 2015, have

returned to the levels recorded in 2013. Consumer electronics

and household appliance manufacturers have suffered

similarly heavy losses. They are immediately preceded by

clothes and footwear manufacturers and laundry detergent

and household cleaner manufacturers, both of which are new

to the study and are trusted by two-thirds of Poles.

Poland /// Findings

38.6 mPopulation

70%Share of working


100%

CPI 62= perceivedcorruption

7.09Democracy

Index =flawed

democracy

3.6%GDP growth

rate 2015

-1.0%Inflationrate 2015


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Poland /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


Military/army

Currency

Police

Church


Internet




Government


Political parties


38

36

30

29

17

71

42

41

28

32

21

81

36

27

17

24

13

77

2017 2015 2013

71

68

54

53

49

42

40

75

72

57

63

52

48

48

71

64

54

58

47

43

39

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Poland /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)







Commerce





Food manufacturers

Toy manufacturers*

Airlines


58

58

56

55

52

48

45

66

65

67

62

-

59

47

56

56

56

51

-

47

40

2017 2015 2013

70

68

66

65

63

62

59

73

72

-

-

73

69

63

67

71

-

-

70

67

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52The proportion of Russians bestowing trust upon their

country's institutions has increased on average in 2017,

placing Russia in the middle of the global ranking. Trust in

fellow citizens has also improved, almost returning to the level

recorded in 2013. Of all the institutions investigated, the

military is one of the major winners this year, retaining its

position at the top of the table. A lot of money is currently

being spent on modernising the Russian army. Moreover, the

Russian media is reporting very positively on the military

interventions which have been ongoing in Syria since autumn

2015 and which are strongly criticised in some parts of the

West. The following two places are once again occupied by

the church and the government, both of which are trusted by

just under two-thirds of citizens. The government witnesses a

slight upturn in trust despite the difficult financial climate.

Sliding oil prices were largely to blame for the country falling

into a recession, which resulted in noticeably negative

economic growth, particularly in 2015. However, the outlook is

more positive as, after anticipating GDP to fall by just 0.6% in

2016, the World Bank is forecasting a rise of 1.7% in 2017.

Nevertheless, high inflation and the decline in real income are

contributing to the poverty rate in Russia being at its highest

for nine years. Despite this, more than half of the population

have confidence in their country’s currency, the rouble. With

54%, the police are enjoying a clearly perceptible increase in

trust in 2017, placing them fourth on the scale. This

development is possibly in response to the activities of the

country's security forces in the fight against terrorism, after,

for example, the IS terror group committed several suicide

attacks at the start of 2016. Political parties once again find

themselves at the very bottom of the 2017 ranking. However,

they are still trusted by almost a third of the population, which

means their rating is above average compared with the other

European countries surveyed.

Besides being the most highly rated economic sector,

trade also sees the biggest improvement in popularity,

climbing by 14 percentage points to 74%. Software and

computer manufacturers (66%) and energy and water

suppliers (63%) have also experienced significant gains in

trust. Despite rising food prices, faith in food manufacturers

has also grown, taking their rating to just under 60%. At 44%,

banks and insurance companies, on the other hand, remain

the least trusted sector in Russia. The country also finds itself

in the middle of the global ranking for economic sectors.

Russia /// Findings

143.5 mPopulation

70%Share of working


100%

CPI 29= high

perceivedcorruption

3.31 Democracy

Index =authoritarian

regime

-3.7%GDP growth

rate 2015



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53

50

45

38

35

31

75

49

41

37

35

33

66

45

39

39

36

26

77

2017 2015 2013

Russia /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


77

65

62

54

53

51

51

64

63

59

46

50

45

49

65

68

52

45

59

47

52

Military/army

Church

Government

Police

Currency

Internet






Political parties


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Russia /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)










Food manufacturers

Airlines


Toy manufacturers*

Commerce


62

59

56

54

52

51

44

55

53

49

49

-

49

43

55

54

46

53

-

50

51

2017 2015 2013

74

70

66

66

64

64

63

60

65

56

-

-

56

52

59

71

62

-

-

58

54

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55

Although the average trust rating across all institutions

in Spain has climbed slightly to 39%, the country remains in

the bottom third of the global ranking. The police retain their

position at the top of the scale with 73%, followed by the

military, which has gained 7 percentage points and is in

second place. These two institutions are followed with a wider

margin by NGOs (55%) and Spain’s currency, the euro, which

sees a further improvement in trust to just under 50%. Due to

the low energy prices, Spain faced deflation in 2015. A

noteworthy increase in trust of 11 percentage points is also

observed for public administration, with more than one in

three Spaniards expressing confidence in public authorities in

2017. While slight gains are perceptible at the tail end of the

ranking, political parties (9%) and the government (11%)

continue to be trusted by a very small proportion of the

population compared with the other European countries

surveyed. Despite the better economic climate, it is likely that

corruption and the persistently high level of unemployment

are having a negative effect on the confidence felt in these

institutions. Moreover, it is probable that Spain’s difficulties in

forming a government and the bitter power struggle between

the parties have contributed to this mistrust. During the

election in December 2015, the country’s two major parties

suffered significant losses, triggering a political stalemate. The

election re-run in June 2016 had a similar outcome. At the

end of October 2016, the Spanish parliament finally reached

an agreement and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of the PP

party could once again form a government. However, as a

minority government, it is reliant on the Socialists' tolerance.

With an average approval rating of 63%, Spanish

economic sectors currently find themselves in the middle of

the global ranking. Airlines (68%) and software manufacturers

(62%) are both enjoying improved ratings. Nevertheless, the

pole position is still occupied by the trade sector, which instils

faith in 84% of Spaniards. It is closely followed by commerce

(78%) and the newly added clothes, household cleaner and

toy manufacturers, each of which are trusted by around three-

quarters of the population. Spaniards are currently more

sceptical of pharmaceutical companies, their rating having

dropped slightly to 60%. Although the financial sector records

the greatest upturn in trust of eight percentage points, it

remains in last place.

Spain /// Findings

46.1 mPopulation

66%Share of working


86%


8.30 Democracy

Index =full

democracy

3.2%GDP growth

rate 2015



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Spain /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


Police

Military/army


Currency

Internet



Church



Government

Political parties


35

32

26

11

9

80

31

38

21

8

5

84

32

33

25

12

7

83

2017 2015 2013

73

66

55

48

44

39

36

70

58

52

44

44

41

25

64

57

54

35

46

44

27

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Spain /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)



Commerce



Toy manufacturers*

Food manufacturers


Airlines







68

62

60

59

50

43

23

62

56

66

59

48

42

15

47

51

65

55

53

37

18

2017 2015 2013

84

78

78

74

73

69

68

83

75

-

-

-

77

68

80

76

-

-

-

73

64

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In Sweden, the confidence placed in virtually all the

institutions investigated has declined in 2017, in some cases

even significantly. This results in an average trust rating of

49% (2015: 60%), putting the country in the middle of the

global ranking. However, since some of these fluctuations are

due to the change in the institute conducting this year's

fieldwork, the following report mainly interprets the rank order.

The police and currency once again top the scale by a

considerable margin, each with 75%. Inflation is virtually at

zero and the country's economy is strong, resulting in the

Swedish krona being viewed as particularly reliable. As was

also the case in 2015, the justice system and military occupy

the following two places, each trusted by around two-thirds of

citizens. Public administration, NGOs and the church all

perform more poorly this year than in 2015, the latter only

currently regarded as dependable by fewer than half of

Swedes. The government, with 42%, and political parties,

which find themselves last on the scale with 17%, are also

seeing a downturn in trust. The high influx of refugees at the

end of 2015 caused the liberal refugee policy followed until

that time to come under fire, resulting in the Red-Green

minority government introducing tighter border controls and

fixed-term residence permits for asylum seekers.

Furthermore, several politicians were reported to have ties

with extremist and Islamist groups and were subsequently

forced to resign. It is likely that these events have harmed the

credibility of Sweden's political parties. At the other end of the

spectrum, the proportion of Swedes who believe they can

count on their fellow citizens remains stable at a high 81%.

With 70%, energy and water suppliers are the most

trustworthy economic sector, followed by airlines with 69%.

The IT sector and consumer electronics manufacturers are

each trusted by two-thirds of Swedes. Toy manufacturers and

household cleaner manufacturers, both of which were added

to the study this year, as well as the financial sector are

regarded favourably by a good half of the population. The

latter, however, is facing a loss of trust, as is the automotive

industry, which has seen its rating fall to 57%. This could be

due to the scandal surrounding the manipulation of exhaust

emissions tests. Telecommunications and Internet service

providers, however, still find themselves in last place with

39%.

Sweden /// Findings

9.8 mPopulation

63%Share of working


98%

CPI 89= hardly any


9.45 Democracy

Index =full

democracy

4.1%GDP growth

rate 2015



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Sweden /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)

Police

Currency


Military/army



Church

Government


Internet


Political parties


Base: 1,000 respondents; note: change of research institute

42

37

32

25

17

81

64

35

39

35

35

84

65

38

45

33

34

85

2017 2015 2013

75

75

69

64

57

54

46

82

86

78

69

72

69

63

82

87

76

68

67

67

63

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Sweden /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


Airlines



Commerce




Food manufacturers


Toy manufacturers*




Base: 1,000 respondents; *2017 newly added, note: change of research institute

57

56

56

51

50

50

39

69

54

-

-

-

62

43

66

59

-

-

-

55

43

2017 2015 2013

70

69

65

65

63

63

61

71

72

72

73

72

65

67

68

68

69

71

72

66

66

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In Switzerland, confidence in the individual areas varies

considerably in 2017. While 80% of Swiss people still trust

their fellow citizens, on average they are somewhat more

critical of the institutions investigated.

Nevertheless, some of the institutions traditionally

perceived as trustworthy attain better ratings than in 2015.

This applies to the police (89%) and the justice system (77%)

as well as to the government (77%) and public administration

(73%) – doubtless as a result of the country's well-functioning

and virtually corruption-free democracy. At 91%, the Swiss

currency, the franc, remains top of the ranking. At the start of

2015, the Swiss National Bank discontinued the minimum

exchange rate of 1.20 francs per euro. This put exporters and

the tourism industry under pressure, weakening economic

growth to 0.9% in 2015 according to the World Bank. Inflation,

however, stood at minus 1.1% at this time. A number of

institutions at the lower end of the scale are facing a

significant loss in trust. Particularly noteworthy declines are

experienced by the media and the Internet, which are

currently only viewed as reliable by 43% and 32% of the

population respectively. Trust in the Internet has plummeted

by 22 percentage points. This could partly be due to a study

conducted by the University of Zurich, which may have cast a

greater shadow of doubt among the population over the

credibility of content posted on the Internet and data

protection. Large companies bring up the rear with a trust

rating of just 27%, slightly behind political parties with 29%.

This could be linked to some extent to the VW exhaust

emissions scandal, which prompted Swiss authorities to

prohibit the registration of certain VW models in autumn 2015.

In terms of the economic sectors, it appears as if the

software manipulations committed by VW have hampered

trust in the entire automotive industry, which occupies last

place with just 47%. This scandal could also partly be at the

root of the declining confidence in the IT sector. Faith in

commerce (65%), pharmaceutical companies (54%) and

telecommunications providers (52%) has also slumped, as

has trust in the financial sector, putting it in penultimate place

with 50%. Energy and water suppliers (88%), trade (86%) and

airlines (76%) remain the most trustworthy economic sectors,

their ratings staying virtually the same as in 2015.

Switzerland /// Findings

8.3 mPopulation

67%Share of working


98%

CPI 86= hardly any


9.09 Democracy

Index =full

democracy

0.9%GDP growth

rate 2015



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Switzerland /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)

Currency

Police


Government


Military/army


Church


Internet

Political parties




47

43

32

29

27

80

51

58

54

36

62

81

46

60

52

35

51

71

2017 2015 2013

91

89

77

77

73

66

56

92

75

70

71

66

66

56

90

69

66

61

65

59

57

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Switzerland /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)



Airlines


Commerce

Toy manufacturers*

Food manufacturers









61

54

54

52

52

50

47

-

73

74

67

-

59

79

-

67

71

66

-

59

75

2017 2015 2013

88

86

76

69

65

64

63

89

88

83

81

81

-

76

85

83

78

78

77

-

66

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The numerous incidents which took place in Turkey in

2016 are having significant repercussions on the trust felt by

citizens. In July 2016, parts of the military attempted to

overthrow the government and President Recep Tayyip

Erdoğan. Erdoğan accused US-based cleric Fethullah Gülen

of being the mastermind behind this failed coup. The military

has suffered the greatest loss of approval this year, its trust

rating dropping by 22 percentage points to 49%. Religious

communities are also experiencing a decline, currently

earning the confidence of just 46% of the population and

falling from second to ninth on the scale. The retaliatory

measures and clean-up operation following the attempted

coup resulted in around 35,000 people being imprisoned by

the end of September 2016. This may partly explain why trust

in the police has decreased by seven percentage points. The

institution nevertheless remains second in the ranking with

54%. However, the rise in terrorist attacks committed in

Turkey by the IS terror group and the Kurdish PKK are

revealing problems with internal security. The government is

also perceived more negatively. Despite polls suggesting

otherwise in the immediate aftermath of the attempted putsch,

trust in Turkey's leaders has fallen by 5 percentage points to

48%. In contrast, the perceived reliability of the Internet has

increased by 13 percentage points to 50%, while confidence

in traditional media has risen to 39%. This could be attributed

to the citizens' desire for independent sources of news,

especially in times when the government is increasingly trying

to limit the freedom of the press. Despite enjoying heightened

trust, the media still finds itself in penultimate place on the

scale, followed by political parties with 30%. Of all the

institutions investigated, Turks bestow the greatest amount of

trust on their currency, the lira, which is viewed as

dependable by 55% of the population. However, the ongoing

depreciation of the lira coupled with resulting higher inflation

could be contributing to the further decline in confidence

witnessed by the currency this year.

Turkey is at the very bottom of the global comparison in

terms of the average level of trust expressed in economic

sectors. Nevertheless, a few sectors record significant gains

on 2015, such as food manufacturers and the automotive

industry. In line with this, confidence in international

corporations has also grown by 10 percentage points. It

seems as if people are hoping that the turbulence causing

uncertainty among investors and tourists will pass.

Turkey /// Findings

78.7 mPopulation

67%Share of working


49%

CPI 42= high

perceivedcorruption

5.12Democracy

Index =hybrid

regime

4.0%GDP growth

rate 2015



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65

47

46

42

39

30

65

48

63

32

31

27

63

64

72

52

32

33

70

2017 2015 2013

Turkey /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)

Base: 986 respondents

55

54

51

50

49

49

48

62

61

51

37

49

71

53

81

68

67

44

63

73

69

Currency

Police


Internet


Military/army

Government


Church



Political parties


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Turkey /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)

Base: 986 respondents; *2017 newly added




Airlines

Food manufacturers







Commerce


Toy manufacturers*

52

51

51

50

45

42

42

42

38

48

42

46

31

-

65

55

62

55

54

50

-

2017 2015 2013

59

59

58

52

52

52

52

-

60

49

53

39

40

-

-

70

62

69

49

59

-

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2016 was a turbulent year for the United Kingdom. After

the referendum on the country’s membership of the EU in

June saw a narrow majority vote in favour of Brexit, the

procedure and repercussions of leaving the EU have

remained a constant topic of public debate. Nevertheless, the

share of people trusting their fellow citizens and institutions

remains virtually stable.

The military retain their position at the top of the

institutions ranking with 82%, followed by the police, the body

responsible for domestic security, with 78%. The British

pound slips to third, having fallen by 10 percentage points to

70%. After the country voted to leave the EU, the pound lost

significant value against the US dollar, slumping to its lowest

level since 1985. This development has, however, had a

positive impact on British exports. One of the political

consequences of the referendum was the resignation of Prime

Minister David Cameron and his succession by fellow

Conservative Theresa May. Although May was originally

against the United Kingdom leaving the EU, she announced

that she would quickly and resolutely implement Brexit, the

negotiations for which are due to commence in March 2017.

With confidence in both the government (46%) and political

parties (22%) rising, it is possible that the people are

rewarding the Prime Minister for determinedly staying on

course. Despite being viewed more favourably, however,

political parties remain last on the scale. Although the

proportion of citizens bestowing trust on the media and large

companies is slightly higher at around one-third, these

institutions still find themselves at the tail end of the ranking.

In terms of the economic sectors, trade occupies the top

spot, its trust rating having grown by 5 percentage points to

76%. The newly added clothes and footwear manufacturers

are hot on its heels with 74%, followed closely by consumer

electronics manufacturers, household cleaner manufacturers

and airlines, each with 72%. Energy and water suppliers have

gained the most trust, climbing by 15 percentage points to

66%. It is possible that the British people support the

expansion of nuclear power, as this will enable coal-fired

power generation to be phased out. While trust in the

pharmaceutical industry has dropped to 63%, the financial

sector (57%) and commerce (53%) are the lowest-rated

economic sectors.

UK /// Findings

64.7 mPopulation

64%Share of working


85%

CPI 81= hardly any


8.31 Democracy

Index =full

democracy

2.3%GDP growth

rate 2015



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46

40

35

30

22

75

42

44

32

28

16

77

38

41

32

24

16

76

2017 2015 2013

UK /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


82

78

70

64

63

60

57

82

75

80

60

59

57

57

85

79

74

60

59

60

61

Military/army

Police

Currency




Church

Government

Internet



Political parties


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UK /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)






Airlines


Toy manufacturers*


Food manufacturers





Commerce

63

63

61

61

57

57

53

71

59

59

60

57

54

52

69

66

62

61

56

52

52

2017 2015 2013

76

74

72

72

72

66

64

71

-

74

-

71

51

-

71

-

71

-

66

57

-

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3 North and South America in detail

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71

Brazil has been facing tumultuous times since this study

was last conducted in 2015. Besides being confronted by a

serious financial crisis, the country is embroiled in a corruption

scandal engulfing the semi-public oil corporation Petrobras.

On top of this are the political squabbles surrounding the

impeachment of former President Dilma Rousseff, who is

accused of falsifying budget figures during the 2014 election

campaign. Rousseff's removal from office has divided the

population, with more than three million people demonstrating

against the government while she was still in power and ten

thousand Rousseff supporters taking to the streets after her

suspension. Left-wing groups in particular view the incident as

an institutional coup by conservative forces. Trust in political

institutions has slid further, meaning they once again find

themselves at the bottom of the ranking. Confidence in the

government has fallen to 14%, while faith in political parties –

like those in France – has dipped to an historic low of 6%.

Their drop in reputation can probably in part be attributed to

accusations of corruption levelled at 179 politicians and

entrepreneurs alleged to be involved in the Petrobas scandal.

These charges may, however, help explain why the perceived

dependability of the justice system has climbed by 8

percentage points to 35%. The military once again heads the

ranking with 75%. Places 2 and 3 are occupied by the church

with 65% and the currency with 61%. However, on account of

increasing inflation and lower per capita income, the real’s

rating has declined slightly to 61%. Although only just over

half of citizens feel they can trust the police, this represents

an increase of nine percentage points. During the run-up to

the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, the police were criticised for

their use of violence. The games ultimately took place without

any major security problems and it is possible that Brazilians

are rewarding the police for this success.

The textile industry is regarded as the most trustworthy

economic sector with 71%. Consumer electronics and

household appliance manufacturers find themselves in

second place, with a virtually unchanged score of 63%.

Airlines and trade are each viewed more positively in 2017,

their ratings growing to around 60%. The financial sector and

food manufacturers are positioned towards the bottom of the

scale, trusted by 49% and 48% of the population respectively.

Although telecommunications providers record a rise in

approval, they bring up the rear with 36%.

Brazil /// Findings

207.8 mPopulation

69%Share of working


63%

CPI 38= high

perceivedcorruption

6.96 Democracy

Index =flawed

democracy

-3.8%GDP growth

rate 2015



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Brazil /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


Military/army

Church

Currency

Police



Internet




Government

Political parties


36

35

28

14

6

49

29

27

27

18

7

42

43

35

30

29

8

44

2017 2015 2013

75

65

61

51

50

48

37

72

64

65

42

50

44

34

77

65

80

45

55

49

34

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Brazil /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)




Airlines






Commerce


Toy manufacturers*


Food manufacturers


59

59

55

54

49

48

36

61

59

60

-

47

47

30

62

61

61

-

48

56

36

2017 2015 2013

71

63

63

62

62

61

60

-

61

56

-

65

56

59

-

67

56

-

68

57

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Mexico, which was added to the Global Trust Report for

the first time in 2017, is at the very bottom of the global

ranking in terms of the overall trust expressed in institutions,

with an average rating of just 36%. At 65%, the military and

Catholic church are viewed as the most dependable

institutions. While the Internet (third place) and large

companies (fourth place) are still trusted by more than half of

Mexicans, all lower ranking institutions, from the currency

onwards, fall below the 50% mark. The Mexican peso is only

trusted by 43% of the population, which is a rather low score

compared with the other countries investigated. As the

world's tenth largest oil exporter, Mexico is having to contend

with the global drop in crude oil prices. In the course of 2015,

the peso lost around a fifth of its value against the US dollar,

which caused inflation to raise in 2016. The institutions in the

lower half of the ranking, including key public bodies like the

government, public administration, the justice system and the

police, are trusted by less than a quarter of citizens. With a

rating of just 9%, only political parties are viewed with greater

scepticism by Mexicans. Corruption is widespread in the

country and human rights violations are a daily occurrence. In

some cases, organised criminal groups, above all drug

cartels, work together with local authorities and the police.

According to official figures, more than 27,000 people went

missing and over 36,000 were murdered in 2015 alone.

However, many of these crimes went unpunished due to the

aforementioned alliances. This climate means Mexico is rated

as one of the ten most dangerous countries in the world. The

country is particularly unsafe for journalists, especially when

they publish stories about these problems. Mexico's radio and

television stations and, as a result, power over public opinion

are in the hands of just a few companies. This could explain

why the media is trusted by just 22% of the population. Given

these circumstances, it is highly surprising that 75% of

Mexicans feel they can depend on their fellow citizens.

At 71%, the average proportion of Mexicans who have

confidence in their country's economic sectors is almost

double that recorded for institutions. This places Mexico in the

upper third of the global ranking. Clothes and footwear

manufacturers (85%) have the best reputation, followed by

laundry detergent and household cleaner manufacturers in

second place with 84%. Airlines, which instil faith in just 56%

of citizens, and the financial sector with 54% bring up the rear.

Mexico /// Findings

127.0 mPopulation

66%Share of working


67%

CPI 35= high

perceivedcorruption

6.55 Democracy

Index =full

democracy

2.5%GDP Growth

rate 2015



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75

22

20

18

12

9

75

2017

Mexico /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


65

65

60

57

43

40

22

Military/army

Church

Internet


Currency

Non-governmental organisations(NGOs)

Government




Police

Political parties


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Mexico /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)




Commerce



Food manufacturers



Toy manufacturers




Airlines


72

65

62

61

61

56

54

2017

85

84

83

82

80

75

73

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The average level of trust expressed in institutions in the

USA has fallen slightly compared with 2015. However, ratings

remain stable in many areas, meaning that the change in the

collection method implemented this year is unlikely to be the

chief reason behind the decline. Instead, it appears that

confidence in numerous areas has actually gone down,

including in the economic sectors investigated.

The military continues to inspire trust in 84% of

Americans, enabling this institution to retain its place at the

top of the scale. The rating awarded to the police has

improved slightly to 75%. Of the institutions in the upper

echelons of the ranking, the church and justice system have

suffered the greatest losses, dropping to 69% and 53%

respectively. 2016 was marked by a very controversial

presidential election campaign, with Donald Trump emerging

victorious in November 2016. This also had an impact on the

trust felt for the government in power when the study was

conducted, its rating falling for the second time in a row to

41%. Above all, however, the election year seems to have

inflicted the greatest damage on the reputation of political

parties, which – after suffering another decline in trust – have

seen their score almost cut in half since 2013 to 14%. This

puts them last in the ranking. Although media and large

companies lie above political parties by a wide margin, they

are also experiencing losses.

The trust placed in economic sectors has decreased

across the board in 2017. However, the three newly added

sectors perform well, with clothes and footwear manufacturers

immediately taking the top spot and toy and household

cleaner manufacturers following closely behind in places 3

and 4, earning the trust of 71% of Americans. The greatest

dips in confidence are observed at the lower end of the scale.

For example, telecommunications and Internet service

providers slip to penultimate place, having lost 10 percentage

points to bring them to 51%. Pharmaceutical corporations,

having dropped by 14 percentage points to 44%, once again

find themselves last on the scale. Over the past few years, US

drug companies have increased their prices, in some cases

significantly, with the hikes even affecting long-established

medicines. For example, in autumn 2015, the increase in the

price of a drug for pregnant women and AIDS patients from

13.50 to 750 US dollars triggered widespread outrage against

pharmaceutical giant Turing.

USA /// Findings

321.8 mPopulation

66%Share of working


97%

CPI 76= hardly any


8.05 Democracy

Index =full

democracy

2.4%GDP growth

rate 2015



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USA /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)

Military/army

Police

Currency

Church




Government

Internet



Political parties



41

40

36

33

14

68

46

39

42

41

23

75

51

43

44

43

27

76

2017 2015 2013

84

75

70

69

54

53

52

84

73

71

74

55

61

55

89

80

74

76

54

62

63

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USA /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)



Toy manufacturers*





Commerce

Airlines

Food manufacturers






66

65

63

61

55

51

44

69

68

69

66

60

61

58

68

70

71

72

58

66

61

2017 2015 2013

76

75

71

71

70

69

67

-

81

-

-

79

73

76

-

81

-

-

82

77

79

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USA /// Trust in institutions by the three largest ethnic groups("I completely/generally trust"/in %)

It is also interesting to look at the trust expressed in the

individual areas by the three largest ethnic groups in the USA –

white Americans, African Americans and Hispanic Americans.

The ethnic groups are relatively in agreement when it comes

to the military at the head of the ranking, although African

Americans and Hispanics have less confidence in the armed forces

than white Americans. There are considerable differences,

however, in the perception of the police, as while 84% of white US

citizens trust the police, this figure falls to just 44% among African

Americans. In recent years, there have been repeated reports of

violence committed by (white) police officers against black

Americans, leading to numerous protests. The justice system, too,

is confronted with allegations of racism, which is also reflected in its

lower trust rating among African Americans.

At the other end of the spectrum, there are institutions which

are regarded as more trustworthy by African Americans. This

especially applies to the church. The media also enjoys an above-

average level of trust among black Americans, as does the

government, which at the time of the survey was still led by Barack

Obama, the USA’s first African American president.Base: 1,000 respondents

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Military/army

Police

Currency

Church




Government

Internet


Large companies

Political parties

People generally

White

Hispanic Americans

Overall

African Americans

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USA /// Trust in economic sectors by the three largest ethnic groups("I completely/generally trust"/in %)

At first glance, it appears as if there are fewer discrepancies

between how the ethnic groups appraise the USA's economic

sectors. However, in reality, only drug companies are perceived

equally across all ethnic groups. The pharmaceutical industry –

which finds itself last in the ranking – performs almost equally as

poorly across all three ethnic groups.

On average, at 67%, the proportion of white Americans who

feel they can depend on their country’s economic sectors is slightly

greater than the figure recorded for African Americans (61%).

Overall, Hispanics – with an average rating of just 58% – are most

mistrustful of the economic sectors investigated. This is especially

apparent when looking at the results collected for toy and food

manufacturers. Commerce is the only sector to be viewed more

critically by African Americans than by the other ethnic groups. This

is almost certainly due in part to the working conditions in this

sector, which employs a disproportionately high number of African

and Hispanic Americans.



Trade

Toy manufacturers





Commerce

Airlines

Food manufacturers





White

Hispanic Americans

Overall

African Americans

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4 Asia and the Pacific in detail

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83

On average, the proportion of Indians who have

confidence in their fellow citizens and in their country's

institutions has grown again since 2015. The Internet, to

which an increasing number of Indians have access, records

the strongest growth in trust, having climbed by 14

percentage points to 77%. The public perception of non-

governmental organisations has also grown considerably.

Although, at 69%, they remain in the bottom third of the

ranking. While the majority of state institutions investigated

record rises in approval, their rankings vary widely. For

example, the justice system in second place has gained the

same amount of trust as the police in the penultimate position

on the ranking. Although the government led by Prime

Minister Narendra Modi from the BJP, which has ruled the

country since mid-2014, has vowed to combat corruption, the

perceived level of corruption in India, according to

Transparency International, is still as high as before. Trust in

the government itself remains high at 74%, the positive

economic climate and declining inflation doubtless

contributing to its popularity. The Indian currency is in third

place, its rating having increased slightly. The military,

however, retains the top spot and is trusted by 89% of

Indians.

The financial sector remains in pole position in the

sector comparison, with a virtually stable rating of 88%.

Although consumer electronics and household appliance

manufacturers have suffered a decline of eight percentage

points, they are still regarded as reliable by three-quarters of

Indians. One reason for this loss of trust could be strict laws

for supporting local products, which, for instance, initially

prohibited Apple from opening stores in India. These

regulations mean that when buying certain electronics

products, consumers have a limited number of brands to

choose from. Commerce and airlines have both improved

their reputation by seven percentage points and are now each

trusted by around three-quarters of Indians. However, while

this result positions commerce in the middle of the ranking,

airlines occupy last place on the scale. This is a clear

indication of the very narrow range of ratings attained by the

various economic sectors in India. In fact, this has become

even smaller in 2017, with just 15 percentage points between

first and last place.

India /// Findings

1.311 mPopulation

66%Share of working


48%

CPI 38= high

perceivedcorruption

7.74 Democracy

Index =flawed

democracy

7.6%GDP growth

rate 2015



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India /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


Military/army


Currency

Internet



Government



Church

Police

Political parties


71

69

67

61

45

86

64

59

65

54

48

80

55

59

76

49

17

82

2017 2015 2013

89

83

83

77

75

74

74

93

75

80

63

78

74

74

92

59

66

67

72

60

44

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India /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)



Food manufacturers






Commerce





Toy manufacturers*

Airlines

78

78

77

77

76

74

73

71

81

81

78

84

-

66

61

72

59

65

77

-

57

2017 2015 2013

88

85

84

83

82

80

79

90

90

-

84

-

80

79

80

69

-

73

-

66

75

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Currency is the most positively rated institution in

Indonesia in 2017, the rupiah once again earning the trust of

87% of citizens. Although the inflation rate is relatively high,

according to the World Bank it remained stable in 2015. In the

world's most populous Muslim country, the church sees its

very high trust rating slip slightly to 84%. The discrimination of

religious minorities and the spread of fundamentalist Sunni

ideologies are currently coming under criticism. In January

2016, the country was shaken by an Islamist terrorist attack

for which IS claimed responsibility and which was directed at

foreigners and security forces. Trust in the latter is growing.

After witnessing a slight upturn to 80%, the military now finds

itself third in the ranking. While the police are experiencing an

even greater rise in popularity, they are still only trusted by

just over half of the population. Public administration is also

viewed more favourably this year, but still finds itself near the

bottom of the ranking alongside the police and justice system.

Under the leadership of President Joko Widodo, who has

been in power since the end of 2014, Indonesia has stepped

up the fight against corruption. NGOs see their trust rating

increase to 78%. Indonesia is the world's largest producer of

palm oil so this growth in popularity could be attributed to

Greenpeace's commitment to ensuring the sustainable

cultivation of this oil. The illegal slash-and-burn clearance of

local rainforests has negative consequences for both

Indonesia's population and the global climate. While

confidence in the media has declined, the Internet has gained

credibility. Social media is used heavily in Indonesia, which

may have contributed to the rising trust people feel for their

fellow citizens.

As an important exporter, the textiles industry (87%) is

regarded as the most trustworthy economic sector alongside

energy and water suppliers, which record an increase of 13

percentage points. This could be the result of improvements

to Indonesia's power supply, with the country aiming to

include more renewable sources in its energy mix. The food

manufacturing industry is one of the only sectors to

experience a decline in its rating and is now only trusted by

three-quarters of Indonesians. This could be on account of the

rise in food prices prompted by the crop failures brought about

by a severe drought. At the lower end of the scale, commerce

(70%) replaces the financial sector in last place.

Indonesia /// Findings

257.6 mPopulation

67%Share of working


57%

CPI 36= high

perceivedcorruption

7.03 Democracy

Index =flawed

democracy

4.8%GDP growth

rate 2015



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Indonesia /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


Currency

Church

Military/army



Internet


Government


Police


Political parties


68

65

53

52

33

74

65

57

46

52

33

59

45

38

34

24

17

54

2017 2015 2013

87

84

80

78

73

70

69

87

89

77

67

73

62

78

80

77

67

53

55

55

65

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Indonesia /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)










Food manufacturers


Toy manufacturers*


Airlines

Commerce

75

75

75

74

72

72

70

-

81

71

-

66

73

75

-

53

70

-

65

66

65

2017 2015 2013

87

87

86

85

85

84

82

-

74

85

81

82

81

75

-

70

74

80

72

75

74

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89After Western states lifted their sanctions on Iran, in

2016 this study investigated the trust felt for institutions and

economic sectors in the country for the first time. At 94%

apiece, the police and military are perceived as the most

trustworthy institutions. Iranians also have considerable

confidence in NGOs and large companies, each of which earn

the trust of 85% of citizens. The latter will benefit from the

opportunities for international cooperation opened up to them

again now that the sanctions are no longer in place. The

church and religious communities follow closely behind,

engendering the trust of 81% of the people in this country

where Islam is the state religion. Iran's currency, the rial, finds

itself last on the scale with 26%. It has been under immense

pressure in recent years, partly as a result of the sanctions.

According to the World Bank, inflation stood at 13.7% in 2015;

this high value nevertheless marks a decrease in comparison

to 2013, when it amounted to 39.3%.

On average, 63% of Iranians trust the institutions

studied. With the exception of the country's security forces,

the confidence placed in all state institutions falls below this

average. Of these public bodies, the justice system comes out

on top with 59%, while public administration, political parties

and the government are viewed rather critically with scores

ranging between 37% and 44%. The high level of perceived

corruption and the country's political system undoubtedly

contribute to these feelings of wariness. For instance, the

Democracy Index classifies Iran as an authoritarian regime.

Despite Iran's moderate leader, President Hassan Rouhani,

critics face long imprisonments and are subjected to severe

corporal punishment. Moreover, according to UN reports, in

2015 executions were at their highest level for 20 years. It is

possible that this is creating a climate of suspicion. This could

be reflected by the meagre level of trust felt by Iranians for

their fellow citizens, which at 12% is the lowest of all country's

surveyed.

The trust expressed in Iran's economic sectors varies

significantly. With 99%, the pharmaceutical industry takes

pole position and is trusted by virtually all Iranians. The lower

end of the scale is occupied by airlines and the country's

second-largest sector, the automotive industry, both of which

are only approved of by 3% of citizens. After years of

sanctions, there is a pent-up demand for cars in Iran, as local

assembly plants have been closed for years, the vehicles

currently on the road are very old and there is a lack of spare

parts. The same applies to the country's fleets of aeroplanes.

However, it appears as if this is set to change, as the country

ordered more than 100 aircraft from Airbus shortly after the

embargo was lifted.

Iran /// Findings

79.1 m Population

71%Share of working


62%

CPI 27= high

perceivedcorruption

2.16 Democracy

Index =authoritarian

regime

4.3%GDP growth

rate 2015



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90

44

43

43

37

26

12

2017

Iran /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


94

94

85

85

81

65

59

Police

Military/army



Church

Internet


Government


Political parties


Currency


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Iran /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)







Commerce





Toy manufacturers

Food manufacturers

Airlines


44

42

41

38

37

3

3

2017

99

84

81

78

73

65

54

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92The proportion of Japanese expressing confidence in

institutions and economic sectors remains in the bottom third

of the global ranking. The same applies to the trust felt by the

people for their fellow citizens, which has also fallen further.

The military is still perceived as the most trustworthy

institution with a rating of 69%, although this marks a slight

decline from 2015. One possible reason for this is that

Japan's armed forces are no longer limited to a self-defence

role, as a result of a controversial change to the previously

strictly pacifist constitution. Japan's currency, the yen,

continues to occupy second place, faith in it having grown yet

again to 62%. The low level of inflation and strong export

figures are having a positive impact here. The state

institutions of the justice system, police and public authorities

all record increases in approval, some of them noticeable.

Trust in the government is stable, albeit low at 33%. Although

Prime Minister Shinzō Abe, who has been in power since the

end of 2012, has pulled the country out of recession, growth

in GDP is still restrained. Political parties are positioned at the

very bottom of the scale, earning the trust of just 14% of

citizens. However, of all the institutions, large companies have

suffered the greatest drop in trust, their rating plummeting by

7 percentage points to 33%. This may have been triggered by

the Japanese car scandal. In mid-2016, it was uncovered that

Suzuki and Mitsubishi had falsified fuel consumption test data.

Since the automotive industry plays a key role in Japan, these

findings hit the country particularly hard.

In the economic sectors ranking, trust in the automotive

industry has also slumped, namely by 15 percentage points to

60%. Consumer electronics and household appliance

manufacturers take pole position, despite seeing their rating

decrease slightly to 70%. Energy and water suppliers (68%)

follow closely behind, having witnessed a large jump in trust.

Japan has restarted its nuclear power generation programme,

albeit with much stricter safety precautions in place after the

Fukushima disaster. Although parts of the population are

critical of this, the decision is expected to stop energy costs

from rising further. Food manufacturers have also

experienced a significant rise in trust of 12 percentage points

to 63%, which is almost as high as the level recorded in 2013.

Their trust rating had plunged in 2015 following a rotten meat

scandal involving a supplier of fast food restaurants.

Telecommunications providers, which are only regarded as

trustworthy by a third of Japanese citizens, find themselves

last on the scale.

Japan /// Findings

126.6 mPopulation

61%Share of working


98%

CPI 75= hardly any


7.96 Democracy

Index =flawed

democracy

0.5%GDP growth

rate 2015



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Japan /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


Military/army

Currency


Police



Government



Internet

Church

Political parties


30

29

26

18

14

45

30

31

32

17

13

49

32

30

31

16

7

49

2017 2015 2013

69

62

60

57

48

33

33

72

60

53

56

43

40

32

72

54

51

51

40

35

13

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Japan /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)







Food manufacturers

Airlines




Toy manufacturers*

Commerce



60

58

58

58

57

46

33

75

-

59

-

57

47

39

74

-

66

-

62

47

35

2017 2015 2013

70

68

67

64

63

63

63

74

59

66

65

-

51

60

77

56

68

72

-

68

59

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95

With the addition of the Philippines, the largest

predominantly Catholic country in Asia is represented in this

study for the first time. Over the last few years, the population

of the island country has grown to over 100 million.

The church is regarded as the most trustworthy

institution, securing the confidence of 85% of citizens. The

military and media follow by a considerable margin, each with

ratings of around 60%. With the exception of the military, state

institutions are viewed with great scepticism, their scores

ranging from 32% for the police to just 25% for the justice

system. The new President Rodrigo Duterte, who was elected

in May 2016, has vowed to step up the fight against

widespread corruption. He announced this intention during the

election campaign, which was in full swing at the time of this

survey. Duterte is also planning to reinstate the death penalty

and to take a hard-line approach against criminals. The

institutions ranked fourth and under are each trusted by less

than half of the population. Examples include non-

governmental organisations, international corporations, the

Internet and currency. With a trust rating of 49%, the

Philippine peso is nevertheless regarded as reliable. This is

understandable given the country's positive economic figures,

which reveal that the economy is growing steadily and

inflation slowed in 2015.

The trust placed in the country's economic sectors is

universally higher than that felt in the institutions.

Pharmaceutical companies are rated most positively, instilling

faith in 75% of people. As a whole, the pharmaceutical market

is growing. This is due not only to the government's efforts to

improve the healthcare system, but also to the fact that the

increased purchasing power has made medication affordable

to more people. Trade follows closely behind in second place

with 73%. The clothes and footwear manufacturing industry,

which is an important export market, takes third place with a

trust rating of 65%. Only the bottom two sectors – toy

manufacturers in last place with 39% and the automotive

industry in penultimate place with 45% – earn the trust of less

than half of Filipinos. Although the country's car market is still

relatively small, it is growing, as is the economy. Regardless

of the overall positive economic developments, at just under

40%, the level of trust felt for people in general is in the

bottom third of the global ranking.

Philippines /// Findings

100.7 mPopulation

63%Share of working


71%

CPI 35= high

perceivedcorruption

6.84 Democracy

Index =flawed

democracy

5.8%GDP growth

rate 2015



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32

30

30

25

21

39

2017

Philippines /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


85

62

58

49

49

46

46

Church

Military/army



Currency


Internet

Police

Government



Political parties


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Philippines /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)









Airlines

Commerce

Food manufacturers




Toy manufacturers

56

55

53

51

50

45

39

2017

75

73

65

62

61

60

59

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98

Compared with 2015, the average amount of trust

expressed by South Koreans in institutions has climbed by 5

percentage points to 42%. The country nevertheless remains

in the bottom third of the global ranking. Virtually all the

institutions investigated have enjoyed increases in trust, with

just the government suffering a slight drop in its rating. Non-

governmental organisations (NGOs) once again occupy the

top spot, their score rising to 61%. The currency and media

are tied in second and third place with 54%. South Korea's

currency, the won, remains stable in relation to the current

moderate rate of inflation and in terms of its trust rating. Even

the media is rated more favourably in 2017. The trust felt for

the Internet in South Korea, which is one of the world leaders

in Internet connectivity, has increased even more by a total of

11 percentage points. The country's security forces are also

viewed more positively, with both the police (45%) and military

(47%) earning the confidence of significantly more people

than in 2015, when the army was facing accusations of

bullying. Political parties are still only trusted by around one-

fifth of South Koreans, which means they find themselves at

the very bottom of the South Korean ranking as well. The

government occupies penultimate place, its trust rating having

dipped slightly compared with 2015 to 29%. President Park

Geun-hye's policies have sparked repeated protests in recent

years. The people initially demonstrated against the

announced relaxation of dismissal protection laws and most

recently took to the streets as a result of a corruption scandal.

In December 2016, the South Korean parliament launched

impeachment proceedings against the president and she is

currently suspended.

In terms of the country's economic sectors, the South

Koreans' passion for technology is reflected in the trust

awarded to consumer electronics and household appliance

manufacturers as well as to the IT sector, with around two-

thirds of citizens trusting each of these sectors. In keeping

with this, telecommunications and Internet service providers

have also improved their ratings, climbing by 9 percentage

points to 54%. Trade maintains a strong position on the

ranking and now stands in second place. Besides airlines,

food manufacturers have also seen their popularity decline,

putting them in penultimate position on the scale. However,

South Koreans are most sceptical of the newly added laundry

detergent and household cleaner manufacturers (37%).

South Korea /// Findings

50.3 mPopulation

73%Share of working


96%


7.97 Democracy

Index =flawed

democracy

2.6%GDP growth

rate 2015



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99

39

36

34

29

19

62

38

37

31

32

18

59

40

36

34

32

21

78

2017 2015 2013

South Korea /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


61

54

54

49

47

45

40

55

52

47

38

30

33

37

60

57

57

49

55

41

39


Currency


Internet

Military/army

Police




Church

Government

Political parties


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South Korea /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)






Commerce






Airlines

Toy manufacturers*

Food manufacturers


54

53

53

52

42

39

37

45

59

-

62

-

47

-

52

60

-

69

-

45

-

2017 2015 2013

65

64

63

59

55

55

54

63

60

57

61

49

59

57

72

66

64

70

60

61

65

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101

5 Africa in detail

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102

The trust expressed by Kenyans in their country's

institutions has declined only marginally since 2015, which

means that Kenya remains in the middle of the global ranking.

The church has seen its rating improve and now tops the

table in this predominantly Christian country. Political parties

have also achieved a considerable gain in popularity, climbing

by 14 percentage points to 43%. The trust placed by Kenyans

in their fellow citizens has almost doubled and now stands at

60%. At the other end of the spectrum, confidence has

declined in all state institutions. The army is particularly

affected by this, its score plummeting by ten percentage

points. Faith in the justice system (30%) and police (23%),

which occupy the final two places on the ranking, has also

dropped. Kenya's security forces are accused of violating

human rights during their crack down on terrorism, with

people frequently going missing or being imprisoned without

charge. Relatives have rebuked the police for failing to file

missing persons reports in such cases. This conduct has

been enabled by a controversial anti-terror law which came

into force in 2014 in response to a terrorist attack committed

by the Islamist al-Shabaab militants. According to Amnesty

International, the work of NGOs which criticise such

infringements of human rights is hampered by the

government. This limits their freedom to act, which could

explain why their rating has tumbled to 64%. The media has

also experienced a downturn in trust, losing 13 percentage

points. Although Kenya is in the middle of the pack in the

Press Freedom Index, repeated attempts are being made to

restrict the freedom of its news coverage. In autumn 2015, the

Kenyan parliament passed a law with the intention of

legitimising these efforts, but this was later deemed

unconstitutional and was withdrawn.

Kenya also resides in the middle of the global economic

sectors ranking. Besides food manufacturers, clothes and

footwear manufacturers and laundry detergent and household

cleaner manufacturers, which were both added to the study in

2017, take the top three spots. Telecommunications and

Internet service providers (60%) and banks and insurance

companies (56%) have suffered the greatest losses in trust,

both falling by around 10 percentage points. This positions

them near the bottom of the scale. Toy manufacturers

currently find themselves in last place despite being trusted by

around one in two Kenyans.

Kenya /// Findings

46.1 mPopulation

55%Share of working


67%

CPI 25= high

perceivedcorruption

5.33 Democracy

Index =hybrid

regime

5.6%GDP growth

rate 2015



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Kenya /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


Church


Currency


Military/army


Internet

Political parties

Government



Police


43

41

34

30

23

61

29

46

39

39

29

33

2017 2015 2013

74

64

64

60

56

53

48

70

73

65

58

66

66

56

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Kenya /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)



Food manufacturers





Commerce





Airlines


Toy manufacturers*

60

60

60

60

58

56

49

60

60

58

70

59

67

-

2017 2015 2013

69

68

67

65

61

61

61

-

69

-

69

65

60

55

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105In Nigeria, the overall trust felt for institutions remains

largely stable. However, on taking a closer look, clear changes

become apparent. For example, religious communities, which

remain in pole position with 75%, record an increase of 6

percentage points. Although their rating is higher in the Muslim

north of the country than in the predominantly Christian south,

the number of people who feel they can count on their

religious community has fallen slightly in the north, yet

increased in the south. The Boko Haram terror group has been

carrying out attacks in northern Nigeria for years. The military's

efforts to combat this terrorism has had a positive influence on

its rating in recent years and this continues in 2017, with the

army climbing to second place after witnessing a further

increase in trust. Shortly after assuming office in 2015,

President Muhammadu Buhari appointed new military leaders

in an effort to increase the power of Nigeria's armed forces.

The media and Internet, in contrast, have suffered declines in

their approval ratings. Confidence in Nigeria's currency, the

naira, is also waning. It was perceived as trustworthy by 53%

of citizens in 2015, but this figure has now fallen to just 38%.

This can doubtlessly be ascribed to the persistently high

inflation rate. The government and justice system find

themselves at the lower end of the ranking tied at 32%. They

are followed by the police and political parties, which occupy

the very bottom of the scale, earning the trust of a quarter and

a fifth of citizens respectively. With the exception of the justice

system, it appears that all these institutions are benefiting from

President Buhari's policies, which have already resulted in a

number of high-ranking officials, chiefly ambassadors, being

dismissed as part of the fight against corruption. At 32%, the

proportion of Nigerians who claim to trust their fellow citizens

is among the lowest of all countries surveyed.

The financial sector and food manufacturers come joint

first on the economic sectors ranking, each with trust ratings of

67%. Two of the industries added to the study this year,

namely clothes and footwear manufacturers and household

cleaner manufacturers, immediately find themselves among

the top five. Like pharmaceutical companies, they have won

the trust of just under two-thirds of Nigerians. A number of

sectors have improved their ratings in 2017, including trade

(56%) and airlines, which are witnessing an upturn in trust for

the second year in a row. However, energy and water

suppliers have seen the greatest increase in trust. President

Buhari has put new ministers in charge of the energy supply

and oil sector, who are regarded as competent even by

experts in the field. The country's electricity and water supply

is nevertheless still in need of improvement.

Nigeria /// Findings

182.2 mPopulation

53%Share of working


49%

CPI 26= high

perceivedcorruption

4.62 Democracy

Index =hybrid

regime

2.7%GDP growth

rate 2015



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Nigeria /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


Church

Military/army




Internet


Currency

Government


Police

Political parties


38

32

32

25

20

32

53

24

34

13

13

35

52

21

30

11

17

35

2017 2015 2013

75

68

60

59

54

51

42

69

63

63

55

64

64

40

72

58

53

51

64

48

31

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Nigeria /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)



Food manufacturers








Airlines


Toy manufacturers*

Commerce


60

56

54

54

53

53

39

58

50

47

53

-

55

26

64

58

37

55

-

58

43

2017 2015 2013

67

67

65

64

63

60

60

64

69

-

65

-

59

63

64

64

-

69

-

57

56

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All South African institutions record drops in trust in

2017, resulting in the average rating falling from 63% to 55%.

The church (73%) and international corporations (69%)

continue to occupy the top two places on the ranking. South

Africans are probably hoping that foreign companies

especially will make the investments in their country which are

so desperately needed. Economic growth has been dwindling

since 2012 and the World Bank only expected it to increase

by 0.8% in 2016. The country is also confronted with a high

rate of inflation, which is weakening trust in South Africa's

currency, the rand. This records a drop of 14 percentage

points, taking it to 56%. The value of the rand collapsed in

December 2015, when – despite protests – President Jacob

Zuma dismissed the country's finance minister, who had been

critical of the rising and non-transparent public expenditure.

Due to accusations of corruption in particular, the president is

currently losing an increasing amount of popular support – as

well as the backing of his own party, the ANC. During the

local elections in August 2016, the ANC suffered losses,

above all in large cities. It is therefore hardly surprising that

both the government and political parties, which find

themselves at the tail end of the ranking alongside the police,

are seeing their trust ratings plummet. Against this backdrop,

South Africans also place considerably less trust in their

fellow citizens.

The difficult economic situation additionally seems to be

reflected in the results recorded for the country's economic

sectors, all of which have witnessed at least slight decreases

in popularity compared with 2015. The comparatively strong

decline in the trust felt for airlines, which currently reside in

last place with 67%, could have been triggered by a nepotism

scandal. This involved President Zuma appointing a close

confidante as the chairman of the semi-public South African

Airways. This move has been criticised by the public, not least

as a result of plans to extend the company's fleet of aircraft

using public money. Food manufacturers remain in pole

position with 83%. In 2015 and 2016, a serious drought led to

crop failures and falling water reserves. This could explain

why the perceived reliability of energy and water suppliers has

dropped by six percentage points. Overall, South Africa's

economic sectors attain similar levels of trust, first and last

place being separated by only 16 percentage points.

South Africa /// Findings

54.5 mPopulation

66%Share of working


75%

CPI 44= high

perceivedcorruption

7.56 Democracy

Index =flawed

democracy

1.3%GDP growth

rate 2015



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South Africa /// Trust in institutions("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


Church


Internet

Military/army



Currency



Police

Government

Political parties


51

47

41

40

28

58

60

54

51

52

42

70

58

52

42

51

30

62

2017 2015 2013

73

69

65

65

64

61

56

79

73

68

67

69

66

70

86

77

64

70

69

65

66

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South Africa /// Trust in economic sectors("I completely/generally trust"/in %)


Food manufacturers








Toy manufacturers*




Commerce

Airlines

72

72

71

70

70

68

67

77

-

76

76

73

71

73

78

-

78

77

70

70

72

2017 2015 2013

83

79

78

78

76

75

74

86

-

80

-

82

78

79

83

-

84

-

79

80

81

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6 Methodology

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Europe

Proportion sample/total population

Sample size Methodology Age Regional coverage Fieldworkin percent in m. persons

Austria 84.8% 7.2 m 1,035 PAPI 16+ Nationwide Sep/Oct 2016

Belgium 83.0% 9.4 m 1,023 CATI 15+ Nationwide Sep 2016

France 81.5% 52.5 m 1,011 CAPI 15+ Nationwide Sep 2016

Germany 88.0% 71.0 m 2,016 CAPI 14+ Nationwide Sep 2016

Italy 86.3% 51.6 m 1,036 CAPI 15+ Nationwide Oct 2016

Netherlands 83.5% 14.1 m 1,020 CATI 15+ Nationwide Sep 2016

Poland 85.0% 32.8 m 1,000 CAPI 15+ Nationwide Sep 2016

Russia 82.4% 118.2 m 2,103 PAPI 16+Nationwide except for regions in Northern

Russia and North CaucasusSep 2016

Spain 85.2% 39.3 m 1,017 CAPI 15+ Nationwide Sep 2016

Sweden 81.8% 8.0 m 1,000 CATI 16+ Nationwide Sep 2016

Switzerland 76.9% 6.4 m 1,000 CATI 15-74Nationwide, except for Italian-speaking

SwitzerlandAug 2016

Turkey 74.3% 58.4 m 986 PAPI 15+Urban population: Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Bursa, Kayseri, Malatya, Adana, Samsun, Trabzon, Tekirdağ, Diyarbakır, Erzurum

Oct 2016

UK 81.0% 52.4 m 1,033 CAPI 16+ Nationwide Nov 2016

Methodology in Europe

Fieldwork carried out with GfK GLOBO BUS®

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North and South America

Proportion sample/total population

Sample size Methodology Age Regional coverage Fieldworkin percent in m. persons

Brazil 72.0% 149.6 m 1,000 CATI 18+ Nationwide Sep 2016

Mexico 72.4% 92.0 m 1,000 CATI 15+ Nationwide Sep/Oct 2016

USA 77.3% 248.6 m 1,000 KP 18+ Nationwide Sep 2016

Asia

India 5.0% 65.6 m 1,060 PAPI 15-64 Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai Feb/Mar 2016

Indonesia 7.0% 18.0 m 1,032 PAPI 15-64 Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Bandung Feb/Mar 2016

Iran 29.0% 23.3 m 1,000 PAPI 18+ Tehran, Mashhad, Esfahan, Tabrez, Shiraz Jan/Feb 2016

Japan 79.3% 100.4 m 1,200 PAPI 15-79 Nationwide Sep 2016

Philippines 8.6% 8.7 m 1,000 PAPI 15-64 Metro Manila Feb/Mar 2016

South Korea 80.9% 40.7 m 1,500 PAPI 19+ Nationwide Sep/Oct 2016

Africa

Kenya 11.2% 5.1 m 1,001 PAPI 18+ Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu Sep 2016

Nigeria 14.4% 26.3 m 1,000 PAPI 18+ Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt Sep 2016

South Africa 22.9% 12.5 m 1,200 CAPI 16+ Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Cape Town Aug/Sep 2016

Methodology North and South America, Asia, Africa

Fieldwork carried out with GfK GLOBO BUS®

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Methodology in general

Comment Explanation

Query in general For all queried institutions and economic sectors the following scale was applied:

1) I completely trust them

2) I generally trust them

3) I do not trust them much

4) I do not trust them at all

9) No comment

Presentation in general For a better over-time comparability only "I completely/generally trust" has been displayed graphically

Methodological changes were made in the following countries compared with 2015:

Austria Change of institute; survey open to respondents aged 16 and over

Netherlands Change of methodology from CATI-Bus to CATI ad hoc

Sweden Change of institute; survey open to respondents aged 16 and over

Switzerland Change of methodology from CAPI-Bus to CATI-Bus

USA Change of methodology from CATI-Bus Dual Frame to Knowledge Panel

Turkey For reasons of security, no interviews could be conducted in the regions of Malatya and Diyarbakir

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List of literature (1)

Offline research:

− Berlin Institute for Population and Development, GfK Verein: Asia's Second Leap Forwards. How socio-economic and demographic developments are changing the most populous continent on Earth. Nuremberg 2014.

− Berlin Institute for Population and Development, GfK Verein: Five Lions Poised to Leap? The Economic and Demographic Potential of Africa’s Threshold. Nuremberg 2012.

− Der neue Fischer Weltalmanach 2016. Zahlen, Daten, Fakten. Frankfurt am Main 2015.

− Der neue Fischer Weltalmanach 2017. Zahlen, Daten. Fakten. Frankfurt am Main 2016.

Online research on the following websites

− Amnesty International. URL: http://www.amnesty.ch (as of: Q3/2016).

− Asien auf einen Blick.URL: http://www.asien-auf-einen-blick.de (as of: Q4/2016).

− Auswärtiges Amt. URL: http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de (as of: Q4/2016).

− Bayerisches Staatsministerium des Innern, für Bau und Verkehr. URL: https://www.innenministerium.bayern.de/ (as of: Q4/2016).

− Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie. URL: http:// www.auswaertiges-amt.de (as of: Q4/2016).

− Bundeswehr. URL: https://www.bundeswehr.de/ (as of: Q4/2016).

− Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GiZ).URL: http://www.giz.de (as of: Q4/2016).

− Economist Intelligence Unit. Democracy Index 2015.URL: http://www.eiu.com/public/topical_report.aspx?campaignid=Democracy0814(as of: Q1/2016).

− Finanzen.net.URL: http://www.finanzen.net/ (as of: Q3/2016).

− Germany Trade & Invest Gesellschaft (GTAI).URL: http://www.gtai.de (as of: Q3/2016).

− Greenpeace.URL: http://www.greenpeace.de/ (as of: Q4/2016).

− Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung.URL: https://www.boell/de (as of: Q3/2016).

− Human Rights Watch.URL: https://www.hrw.org/de (as of: Q3/2016).

− Institut für Publizistikwissenschaft und Medienforschung der Universität Zürich (IPMZ): Vertrauen und Sorgen bei der Internet-Nutzung in der Switzerland 2015.URL: https://www.ipmz.uzh.ch (as of: Q4/2016).

− Institut für Sicherheitspolitik an der Universität Kiel: Kieler Analysen zur Sicherheitspolitik Nr. 45, Mai 2016.URL: https://www.ispk.uni-kiel.de/de (as of: Q2/2016).

− Instituto nazionale di statistica.URL: http://www.istat.it/en (as of: Q4/2016).

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List of literature (2)

− International Institute for Applied System Analysis (IIASA).URL: http://www.iiasa.ac.at/ (as of: Q2/2014).

− Internet World Stats.URL: http://www.internetworldstats.com/ (as of: Q4/2016).

− Nestlé Deutschland AG.URL: http://www.nestle.de/ (as of: Q4/2016).

− Pew Research Center.URL: http://www.pewresearch.org/ (as of: Q3/2016).

− Reporter ohne Grenzen.URL: https://www.reporter-ohne-grenzen.de/ (as of: Q4/2016).

− Statista.URL: https://de.statista.com/ (as of: Q4/2016).

− Strom Report.URL: http://strom-report.de/ (as of: Q4/2016).

− The World Bank.URL: http://data.worldbank.org/indicator (as of: Q4/2016).

− Transparency International.URL: http://www.transparency.de/Tabellarisches-Ranking.2400.0.html(as of: Q1/2016).

− United Nations.URL: http://www.un.org/ (as of: Q4/2015).

− World Economic Forum: The Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016URL: https://www.weforum.org/

− Of several German-speaking newspapers and magazines, for example Deutsche Wirtschafts Nachrichten, Focus, Frankfurter Allgemeine Wirtschaft, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Frankfurter Rundschau, Handelsblatt, Manager Magazin, Die Presse, Rheinische Post, Der Spiegel, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Tagesspiegel, Die Welt, Wirtschaftswoche, Die Zeit

− Various radio and television stations: ARD, Bayrischer Rundfunk, Deutsche Welle, Deutschlandfunk, n-tv, n24, ZDF

− Of several international newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations: The Diplomat, The Economic Times, The Economist, Euronews, Financial Times, Huffington Post, Iran Journal, The Jakarta Post, Journafrica, Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ), New York Times, Reuters, Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF), Der Standard, Der Tagesanzeiger, Washington Post

Background information and explanations of GfK in respective countries

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