Survey: Public Trust in Doctors Highest Globally, Lowest in Politicians

According to the 2021 Global Trustworthiness Index report by Ipsos, doctors are the most trusted profession globally. 54% of respondents, a majority, stated they have trust in doctors.

Scientists ranked second with 51% trust. This was followed by teachers at 43%, ordinary people at 27%, and the armed forces at 22%.

Politicians received the lowest level of public trust, at -52%. This was followed by government ministers at -39%, advertising executives at -22%, and bankers at -11%. Trust in journalists and clergy was also low, at -10%.

From 2018-2021, doctors, scientists, teachers, the armed forces, and police consistently ranked among the most trusted professions globally. Politicians, government ministers, and advertising executives consistently received the lowest levels of trust.

This survey, conducted from April 23 to May 7, 2021, involved 19,570 respondents aged 16-74 across 28 countries. It utilized online interviews. The respondent characteristics in Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Turkey tended to be more urban, educated, and affluent than the general population.