In this article, we will be navigating through global trustworthiness while covering the 25 most trustworthy countries in the world. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis, you can move directly to the 5 Most Trustworthy Countries in the World.

Trustworthiness Across the Globe: An Analysis

Trust is a core factor impacting a nation’s economic power and influence. Since stability is commonly associated with trust, countries that persist in stable conditions tend to be more trusted. Democratic countries which are characterized by more transparency and personal freedom are also deemed trustworthy. Institutions such as government, business, and media are the key influencing factors behind trust acknowledged in countries around the world. As reported by the Global Trustworthiness Index in 2022,  politicians, cabinet officers, and advertising executives have been the least trusted professions around the world. Simultaneously, you can view the most trusted professions particular to the United States.

The trust level in a nation’s key institutions has evolved. Currently, business is the sole institution that is seen as competent and trustworthy. Governments have been less trusted as compared to businesses by being a source of false or misleading information. As for the media, the trust level has been declining due to the cycle of distrust that has come into existence following biased news stories. This has led to global polarization based on distrust in government, lack of shared identity, systematic unfairness, and reduced confidence in the media. As reported by Edelman Trust Barometer, the majority of the countries believe that they are more divided as compared to the past while government leaders and journalists were considered as a dividing force pulling people apart. Some of the predicted consequences of this polarization in countries include a degradation in the judicial system, weakened economic growth, street violence as well and an inability to solve societal issues as a nation.

Companies Earning Reputation

Amidst mistrust penetrating the world, several companies continue to earn a reputation by serving their stakeholders well. Some of the most trusted companies in the world include Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), and Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT). Let’s take a look at what these firms have been up to.

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is a popularly known e-commerce platform that serves worldwide. The company has earned the reputation of being the largest global online retailer through its exceptional customer service. On November 27, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) reported that it has incorporated Artificial Intelligence to efficiently deliver customer packages for the holiday season. The company’s Supply Chain Optimization Technology helps stock products in the right amounts. The firm utilizes the world’s largest fleet of mobile industrial robots to sort the products before shipment. Finally, machine learning models are used to plan the best route for timely delivery of the product.

Being one of the most reputed global brands, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has consistently evolved while bringing latest technology to its global user base. The tech giant has expanded its global footprint over time. On November 2, the company reported that the Apple MixC Wenzhou will be open for the public on November 4, as the fourth Apple store in China’s Zhejiang province. More than 100 trained members will be assisting customers with products including the latest iPhone 15 lineup. As of 2023, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has successfully served China for 30 years.

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is another multinational retail corporation that offers competitive prices to its customers. The company operates approximately 10,500 stores and clubs in 19 countries. On November 24, Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) reported that its Cyber Monday deals will be available on the company’s website and app starting from November 26. Walmart+ members will be allowed to access these deals three hours prior to the launch time. Customers can make up to 80% savings across a diverse range of products. The firm has doubled its marketplace assortment to give users better choices. Additionally, customers can also make personalized lists of liked deals to buy them upon availability.

The most admired companies in 2023 have also been previously covered. Now that we have taken a look at the global trustworthiness scenario, we can move to the 25 most trustworthy countries in the world. 

Our Methodology:

In order to compile a list of the 25 most trustworthy countries in the world, we sourced data from the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer. Trustworthiness has been represented by certain metrics that the residents of the nation hold in their institutions. For this purpose, we have selected trust in government as our primary metric. Trust in businesses has been chosen as our secondary metric. The rationale behind choosing the primary metric was that governments are the foremost and primary institution in a country and hence, a country where people trust their government to do the right thing is deemed more trustworthy. Considering the aforementioned trust dynamics where business is already more trusted around the world, we have given it second priority. The most recent data is available from 2022.

As discussed above, trust in governments has been declining as compared to business, and hence, the trust in government scores are comparatively lower. Finally, we ranked the 25 most trustworthy countries in the world in order of their trust in government and trust in business on a priority basis, in ascending order.

25 Most Trustworthy Countries in the World

25. South Africa    

Trust in Government: 22%

Trust in Business: 62%

In South Africa, business remains a highly trusted institution with 62% of the population considering it credible in 2022. 76% of the locals consider their employer trustworthy globally. 61% of South Africans also deem non-profit organizations trustworthy thereby making South Africa a trustworthy country.

24. Japan   

Trust in Government: 33%

Trust in Business: 47%

Japan has been known for its reputation including its government and business transparency. 63% of the Japanese believe that their employer is trusted around the world. This makes Japan one of the most trustworthy nations in the world.

23. South Korea    

Trust in Government: 34%

Trust in Business: 38%

South Korea is another trustworthy country in the world. As revealed in 2022, Young adults of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states rated South Korea as the most trustworthy country among all other nations.

22. Nigeria 

Trust in Government: 35%

Trust in Business: 66%

Trust in media and NGOs in Nigeria is comparatively higher than trust in government. However, more Nigerians have viewed the government as trustworthy since 2022. 66% of the public also believes in business to do the right thing.

21. Spain    

Trust in Government: 36%

Trust in Business: 49%

While trust in government has declined in many of the countries, it has increased in Spain. The political and economic stability in Spain also brings a good reputation to the country. Hence, Spain is another credible nation in the world.

20. The United Kingdom

Trust in Government: 37%

Trust in Business: 50%

The United Kingdom is considered one of the most trusted nations in the world. Trust in business has also increased to 50% in the UK in 2022 while 76% of the population considers their employer credible in the world.

19. Brazil   

Trust in Government: 40%

Trust in Business: 64%

Brazil tends to be one of the most influential countries in South America. With 40% trust in the national government and 64% trust in business, Brazil qualifies as one of the most trustworthy nations in the world.

18. Colombia 

Trust in Government: 40%

Trust in Business: 68%

Colombia also makes it to the most trustworthy countries in the world. 68% of the Colombians hold trust in business while 40% consider the government credible. Healthcare and administrative services in Colombia are also deemed satisfactory.

17. United States

Trust in Government: 42%

Trust in Business: 55%

The United States is one of the most trustworthy countries in the world. The majority of the country’s key allies also consider it a reliable partner for their country. The US has also witnessed a high increase in trust in business since 2022.

16. Kenya  

Trust in Government: 43%

Trust in Business: 71%

While 71% of the residents of Kenya believe in the institution of business, 63% of them consider the media trustworthy. The confidence in NGOs has increased since 2022 which makes Kenya another reliable nation in the world.

15. Australia  

Trust in Government: 45%

Trust in Business: 54%

Australia is notable for its free market policies which support global trade and investment. Credit agencies also deem the nation credible thereby making Australia one of the most trustworthy nations in the world.

14. Italy      

Trust in Government: 46%

Trust in Business: 57%

Italy ranks as one of the 25 most trustworthy countries in the world. In 2022, 72% of Italians deemed their employer credible around the world. The country has also reliably committed to the Western alliance.

13. Germany 

Trust in Government: 47%

Trust in Business: 50%

Germany is another European country that is trustworthy among other nations in the world. Honesty and trust are significant values among the Germans. The country is also considered one of the best and most reliable allies.

12. Ireland 

Trust in Government: 47%

Trust in Business: 52%

Ireland ranks as one of the countries which are deemed trustworthy. The country is known for being stable and peaceful. In 2022, 73% of the Irish people believed that their employer was trusted around the world.

11. Mexico 

Trust in Government: 47%

Trust in Business: 71%

Mexicans hold high trust in their business and non-profit organizations. Confidence in the media has also increased since 2022. Hence, Mexico is one of the 25 trustworthy countries in the world.

10. Canada

Trust in Government: 51%

Trust in Business: 52%

Canada has an overall high trust in the country’s institutions including government, business, media, and non-profit organizations. In 2022, 75% of Canadians also believed that their employer was trusted around the world thereby ranking as another trustworthy country.

9. The Netherlands

Trust in Government: 51%

Trust in Business: 61%

The Netherlands is a well-reputed country in terms of its quality of life, safety, and security. The country also has an attractive corporate tax structure which makes the Dutch business climate reliable. Residents also showed a 61% trust in business in 2022.

8. Malaysia

Trust in Government: 54%

Trust in Business: 68%

Malaysia is another country where business is more trusted as compared to the government. Other public services such as education, healthcare, and the armed forces are more positively rated in terms of trust by the Malaysian public.

7. Thailand

Trust in Government: 56%

Trust in Business: 71%

Thailand is another trustworthy country in the world. The people in the country highly trust business as an institution. Trust in media and non-profit organizations in Thailand has also grown since 2022.

6. Singapore  

Trust in Government: 76%

Trust in Business: 62%

Singapore ranks as one of the 25 most trustworthy countries in the world. In 2022, 76% of the residents trusted the government to do the right thing. As a known Asian financial hub, the country has also been able to attract foreign investments.

Click to continue reading and see 5 Most Trustworthy Countries in the World.

Suggested articles:

• These Cathie Wood Stocks Are On Sale Now
• 12 Monthly Dividend Stocks with Over 5% Yield
• 10 Best Dividend Stocks According To Jim Cramer

Disclosure: None. 25 Most Trustworthy Countries in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.