Mon Jan 20 06:19:05 UTC 2025: ## India’s Trust in Institutions Slips, Edelman Trust Barometer Reveals

**Davos, Switzerland –** A new Edelman Trust Barometer reveals a decline in India’s ranking regarding public trust in its government, businesses, media, and NGOs. While India remains relatively high globally, dropping to third place behind China and Indonesia, a significant disparity exists between high- and low-income populations. High-income Indians showed 80% trust, placing India fourth globally behind Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and China. However, this drops to 65% among low-income Indians, significantly impacting the overall score.

The study, released ahead of the World Economic Forum, also highlights India’s 13th-place ranking in trust toward companies with Indian headquarters. Canada topped this list, followed by Japan, Germany, the UK, France, and the US.

Globally, the barometer paints a concerning picture. Economic anxieties have fueled widespread grievance, with six in ten respondents reporting moderate to high levels. Fears of discrimination have also surged to a record high. Edelman CEO Richard Edelman noted a societal shift from fear and polarization to widespread grievance. Trust in institutional leaders is at an all-time low, with a global average of 69% of respondents believing leaders deliberately mislead them. Distinguishing credible news sources from misinformation is also increasingly challenging.

Interestingly, despite the overall decline in trust, “my employer” remains the most trusted institution globally. The survey also indicated a widespread belief that the wealthy avoid paying their fair share of taxes and are largely responsible for the struggles of the general population. The survey involved over 33,000 respondents across 28 countries.

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