UAE IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD FOR TRUST

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. February 17th, 2025: The UAE has once again emerged as one the most trusting countries according to the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer.

The latest report, which surveys over 33,000 respondents in 28 countries and is in its 25th year, finds that while many nations grapple with flatlining trust due to concerns such as misinformation and higher costs of living driven by inflation, the UAE continues to be a beacon of stability, with high confidence in government and business.

The UAE was first included in the Edelman Trust Barometer in 2010 and has consistently ranked among the most trusting nations surveyed, with respondents seeing the country’s leadership and its institutions as worthy of trust due to their competence and ethics.

The latest report for the UAE shows:

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:

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.”

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For more information, please contact: zoe.audibert@edelman.com

About Edelman

Edelman is a global communications firm that partners with businesses and organizations to evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations. With 6,000 employees across over 60 offices, Edelman develops communication strategies that build client confidence and stakeholder trust. The firm boasts an array of accolades, including PRWeek’s Agency Dynasty of the Past 25 Years and Global Agency of the Year (2023) and Cannes Lions Independent Agency of the Year for the Good Track (2024 & 2022). Recognized as a standout agency by AdAge (2023) and honored with multiple Cannes Lions, including Titanium, Grand Prix and seven Gold Lions since 2021, Edelman consistently sets the industry standard. Since our founding in 1952, we have remained an independent, family-run business. Edelman owns specialty companies Edelman Data & Intelligence (research, data), Edelman Smithfield (financial communications), and UEG (entertainment, sports and lifestyle).​

About the Edelman Trust Barometer

The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer is the firm’s 25th annual trust survey. The research was produced by the Edelman Trust Institute and consists of 30-minute online interviews conducted between October 25 and November 16, 2024. The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer surveyed more than 33,000 respondents across 28 countries.  

Published every January, the report covers a range of timely and important societal indicators of trust among business, media, government and NGOs, shaping conversation and setting the agenda for the year ahead. For more information, visit https://www.edelman.com/trust-barometer