Do Americans or Chinese trust their governments more?

Talk about crazy. China is ruled by an autocratic leader who's stifled all civil rights and citizens truth their government far more than Americans. BTW: these number pre-date Lord Voldemort.

World Population Review

America’s Trust Recession

Once considered a high-trust society, the United States has seen a dramatic decline in civic faith over the past five decades.

🔹 Trust in the federal government has dropped from over 70% in the 1960s to just 20% today, according to Pew Research.

🔹 Meanwhile, social trust—belief in the honesty of strangers—has also plunged. Polarization, misinformation, and institutional scandals have all contributed.

🔹 But it’s not all bad news. Trust in local communities, small businesses, and neighbors remains relatively strong. Americans may distrust Washington, but many still trust the people next door.

Noteworthy trend: In 1973, nearly half of Americans said “most people can be trusted.” Today, that number is closer to 30%—a shift that affects everything from political stability to public health.

Asia’s Balancing Act: Trust, Tradition, and Control

Across Asia, trust dynamics are complex—often shaped by a mix of tradition, rapid modernization, and strong central governance.

🔹 Japan ranks high in interpersonal trust but shows low trust in political institutions. Culturally, harmony and social order play a big role in shaping civic behavior.

🔹 In Singapore, trust in government is high—thanks in part to transparent policies, low corruption, and efficient services. But critics point to limited political freedoms as a trade-off.

🔹 Meanwhile, China presents a paradox: trust in the state is relatively high (especially post-pandemic), but trust between individuals remains low due to historical upheavals and censorship.

Fascinating fact: Singapore ranks in the top 5 globally for trust in government—but in the bottom half for trust in strangers, showing how trust can be highly institutional but not always social.

Trust and the Economy: Why It Pays to Believe

Trust doesn’t just make for polite societies—it drives real economic returns. When people trust institutions and each other, transaction costs drop, innovation rises, and cooperation improves.

🔹 According to the World Economic Forum, a 10-point rise in social trust can correlate with a 0.5–1% boost in GDP per capita.

🔹 High-trust countries attract more foreign investment, face fewer labor disputes, and even recover faster from crises.

🔹 Meanwhile, distrust raises costs—from stricter regulations and enforcement to lower consumer confidence.

Unexpected benefit: Economists estimate that Norway’s sovereign wealth fund—the largest in the world—is made possible not just by oil, but by high public trust in long-term governance and fiscal restraint.