Why Social Confidence Soars in Wealthy Nations and Collapses in Turkey

A wide-ranging international survey by the Pew Research Center has revealed a striking global divide in social trust, showing that confidence in other people is closely linked to economic prosperity, education, and regional context. Conducted across 25 countries, the study highlights how trust functions not merely as a cultural trait but as a reflection of broader social and economic conditions. At one end of the spectrum, Scandinavian countries dominate with exceptionally high levels of trust. In contrast, Turkey stands at the opposite extreme, recording one of the lowest levels of social trust worldwide.

Published under the title “Where Trust in Others Is Highest and Lowest,” the research provides a rare comparative snapshot of how people around the world perceive one another. The findings suggest that trust is far from evenly distributed and that national income levels and educational attainment play a decisive role in shaping social confidence.

Scandinavia Leads as Trust Peaks in Sweden

Among all surveyed countries, Sweden emerged as the global leader in social trust. An overwhelming 83% of Swedish adults said they believe that “most people can be trusted,” placing the country firmly at the top of the rankings. This result reinforces the long-standing association between Nordic welfare models and high levels of social cohesion.

Other high-income European nations followed closely behind. Countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom also reported majority trust levels among adults. In these societies, trust appears to be embedded in daily life, supported by strong institutions, relatively low inequality, and predictable economic conditions.

Turkey Records One of the Lowest Trust Levels

At the opposite end of the scale, Turkey delivered one of the most striking results in the survey. According to the data, 84% of adults in Turkey stated that “most people cannot be trusted.” This places Turkey among the countries with the highest levels of social distrust, alongside nations such as Mexico, Kenya, and Brazil.

The magnitude of this figure is particularly notable. Rather than reflecting a divided public opinion, the results suggest a broad consensus around skepticism and caution toward others. Compared with other middle-income countries, Turkey stands out, showing the highest level of distrust among its peers.

Economic Prosperity and Trust Move Together

One of the central conclusions of the Pew Research Center study is the strong and positive correlation between economic development and social trust. When countries are grouped by income level, the differences become especially clear.

Across the 16 high-income countries included in the survey, an average of 59% of adults reported trusting others. This majority trust reflects environments where economic security, institutional reliability, and social safety nets reduce uncertainty in daily interactions.

By contrast, the nine middle-income countries surveyed showed a dramatically lower average. In these nations, only 27% of adults said they trust others. Turkey, while classified as part of this middle-income group, stands out for its exceptionally high level of distrust relative to the group average.

The findings suggest that economic instability, income volatility, and inequality may undermine the sense of predictability necessary for trust to flourish. When individuals feel economically vulnerable, skepticism toward others appears to become more widespread.

The United States: A Mixed Trust Profile

The United States presented a more nuanced picture. Despite being one of the world’s largest and most advanced economies, only 55% of American adults reported trusting most people. This places the U.S. below the average for high-income countries and closer to Spain and Indonesia in terms of trust levels.

This result indicates that high national income alone does not guarantee strong social trust. Other factors, including inequality, polarization, and institutional confidence, may influence how people perceive one another even in wealthy societies.

Europe Shows Internal Divisions

While Europe as a whole tends to show higher levels of trust than other regions, the survey reveals notable fractures within the continent. Northern and Western European countries, such as Sweden and Germany, reported a majority trust among adults. In contrast, several Southern and Eastern European countries showed the opposite pattern.

In Hungary, Greece, France, and Italy, a majority of respondents indicated that they believe most people cannot be trusted. These internal differences suggest that regional economic performance, historical experiences, and institutional trust all shape how societies view interpersonal relations.

Education Emerges as a Key Factor

Beyond income and geography, education stands out as another critical determinant of social trust. The Pew study found that, particularly in high-income countries, individuals with higher levels of education are significantly more likely to trust others.

France offers a clear example of this divide. Among adults with higher education, 61% said they trust most people. Among those with lower educational attainment, that figure dropped sharply to 35%. This pattern was observed across multiple countries, indicating that education may foster trust by enhancing social mobility, critical thinking, and engagement with diverse groups.

Trust as a Social and Economic Indicator

Taken together, the findings suggest that social trust functions as both a reflection and a consequence of broader socioeconomic conditions. High-trust societies tend to be wealthier, better educated, and more institutionally stable. Low-trust societies, by contrast, often face economic uncertainty and social fragmentation.

For Turkey, the results point to a deeper challenge beyond individual attitudes. The prevalence of distrust may affect social cooperation, economic efficiency, and long-term development. Trust lowers transaction costs, supports innovation, and strengthens democratic and financial institutions. Its absence can slow growth and weaken social bonds.

As the Pew Research Center’s survey demonstrates, trust is not an abstract concept. It is closely tied to lived economic realities, educational opportunities, and the overall sense of security within a society. Understanding these dynamics offers valuable insight into why some societies thrive on cooperation while others struggle with widespread skepticism.