Despite concerns around globalization and potential economic recession, UAE respondents maintain faith in global institutions. The UAE is one of only ten countries who trust in the United Nations (67%) and only one of eight who trust the European Union (66%).
In stark contrast to the UAE’s stability, the global picture reveals a deepening crisis of trust. The breakdown in the social contract globally, resulting in a trust crisis, has been caused by a mass-class divide, a lack of credible information sources, and a belief that systems work against individuals, not for them.
The global report, released at the World Economic Forum in Davos, highlights widespread skepticism driven by:
- Concern over misinformation: 63% globally say it is becoming harder to distinguish between credible sources and intentionally deceptive information;
- Distrust in global leadership: Respondents fear they are intentionally being misled, including by journalists and media;
- Economic disparity fuels scepticism: Two in three people globally believe the wealthy don’t pay their fair share of taxes and are the source of many of our problems.
- Mass-class divide deepens – A 13-point gap in institutional trust levels exists between high- and low-income groups globally, despite a shared distrust in 2012 following the global financial crisis;
- Diminishing optimism for future generations: Only 36% of people worldwide believe the next generation will be better off than we are today, with the lowest optimism being only 9% in France.
Omar Qirem, Chief Executive Officer of Edelman Middle East, said: “Edelman has been measuring trust for 25 years and first included the UAE in 2010. The data tells a compelling success story: trust has remained consistently high in the UAE for over a decade. This stands in stark contrast to much of the rest of the world, which continues to grapple with a global trust crisis. That erosion of trust has led to widespread pessimism.
“The latest annual Edelman Trust Barometer report for the UAE again reaffirms the Emirate’s position as a prime example in building and maintaining public trust and optimism. In 2025, 82% of respondents in the UAE trust the Government, while the global average for trust in government is 52%.
“The UAE has demonstrated that when institutions act with integrity and competence, trust flourishes. Where trust thrives, optimism overcomes uncertainty, paving the way for a brighter future – one that everyone can believe in.”
