The UAE has once again emerged as one of the most trusting countries across the globe, according to the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer. The report included responses from more than 33,000 people in 28 countries.
Edelman is a global communications firm. The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer is the firm’s 25th such annual poll. The research has been produced by the Edelman Trust Institute and consists of 30-minute discussions conducted last year.
The UAE became a part of the Edelman Trust Barometer for the first time in 2010 and has consistently ranked among the most trusting countries across the globe. Respondents hail the Gulf state’s leadership and its institution for their ethics and competence.
2025 Edelman Trust Barometer: Key highlights
1. Strong confidence in leadership
The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer found that the UAE leadership is the most trusted institution in the country – at a staggering 82%. The global average is 52%.
2. Trust in business
In the UAE, 76% of respondents noted during the discussions that they hold strong confidence in businesses across the country. The global average stands at 62%.
3. Trust in professionals and societal influencers
Teachers (85%) and many other societal influencers enjoy substantial trust from citizens in the UAE. This indicates that trust is built locally.
4. Trust and optimism
60% of people in the UAE believe the next generation is going to be better off than they are today. The global average is 36%.
The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer findings come against a backdrop of rising concerns around globalisation and potential economic recession. The UAE respondents hold a much stronger confidence in the country’s leadership and institutions.
The global report highlighted that scepticism floating across the globe is because of a number of factors including, misinformation, distrust in global leadership, diminishing optimism for future generations and economic disparity.
Omar Queen, CEO of Edelman Middle East, noted that the latest data tells a compelling success story: trust has remained consistently high in the UAE for more than 10 years. It reaffirms the UAE’s position as a prime example in building and maintaining public trust.
