Trust in government in United States
United States: Trust in government was 28.0% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Trust in government in United States, 2007–2024
Source: OECD (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for trust in government in United States is 28.0%, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 7 years on record.
The figure is down 28.2% on the previous year and down 17.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, trust in government in United States peaked at 47.5% in 2007 and was at its lowest, 28.0%, in 2024.
United States ranks 44th of 47 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Trust in government in United States, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 47.5% | — |
| 2010 | 43.3% | -8.8% |
| 2013 | 34.0% | -21.5% |
| 2016 | 33.3% | -2.0% |
| 2019 | 35.3% | +6.0% |
| 2022 | 39.0% | +10.4% |
| 2024 | 28.0% | -28.2% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 28.0% is below the median for high income countries, which is 42.8%, 65% of the median. (38 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 47.5% | 47.5% | 47.5% | 1 |
| 2010s | 36.5% | 33.3% | 43.3% | 4 |
| 2020s | 33.5% | 28.0% | 39.0% | 2 |
Countries ranked near United States
More social development data for United States
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 457,647 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 3,667 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 3,667 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0013 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is trust in government in United States?
- Trust in government in United States was 28.0% in 2024, according to OECD (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest trust in government recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 47.5% in 2007.
- What is the lowest trust in government recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 28.0% in 2024.
- How does United States rank for trust in government?
- United States ranks 44th out of 47 countries with data for 2024.
- Is trust in government rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 17.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from OECD (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Trust in government. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Percentage of respondents replying "yes" to the question "In this country, do you have confidence in national government, or not?"