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Data Behind Americans' Waning Trust in Institutions

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In this Issue:

  • Fall 2024
  • Americans’ Deepening Mistrust of Institutions
  • How to Restore Trust in Elections
  • Americans’ Mistrust of Institutions
  • Data Behind Americans’ Waning Trust in Institutions
  • Can Science and Health Care Gain What’s Missing?
  • Media Mistrust Has Been Growing for Decades
  • The Founding Debate on Trust in America
  • 5 Ways to Rebuild Trust in Government
  • How Better Policies Can Help Build Trust
  • Why Americans Trust Small Business
  • View All Other Issues
Data Behind Americans' Waning Trust in Institutions

If mistrust were a disease, the United States would be facing an epidemic. Over the last half-century, trust in American institutions has steadily declined, and this mistrust has rapidly increased in recent years. While not unique on a global level, the U.S. rates of mistrust are now exceeding those of many other nations. 

The average includes only those institutions rated consistently by Gallup since 1979. These are the church/organized religion, the military, the Supreme Court, banks, public schools, newspapers, Congress, organized labor, and big business.



Sources: Gallup and Edelman Trust Barometer