Global Trust in Science Falls Below Pre-Pandemic Levels

A global survey has highlighted a disturbing trend: public trust in science is waning worldwide. The Wellcome Global Monitor 2026, which polled over 140,000 people across 140 countries in 2025, found that confidence in scientific research has fallen below pre-pandemic levels.

The survey results show a decline in the proportion of respondents expressing at least some trust in science, from 77% in 2018 to 72% in 2025. Conversely, the share of people reporting little or no trust in science rose significantly over the same period, increasing from 13% to 19%.

Researchers compared survey results from 108 countries across three time periods: 2018, 2020, and 2025. They found that the proportion of respondents expressing trust in scientists themselves also declined, with a notable drop between 2020 and 2025.

The trend is particularly concerning given the growing number of issues affecting public health and well-being globally. The survey's findings suggest that factors such as unequal distribution of scientific benefits, limited local influence over research priorities, and poor access to healthcare contribute significantly to declining trust in science.

The survey's findings suggest that financial hardship has a significant impact on trust in science. While there is a substantial base of trust, the data reveals a growing gap between people's expectations and experiences of scientific benefits. This disparity is particularly pronounced among those struggling financially.

The research indicates that individuals who have confidence in their local healthcare institutions tend to trust science more than those who do not. Specifically, 43% of respondents with high confidence in hospitals and health clinics reported trusting science "a lot, compared to only 26% overall.

Interestingly, the level of financial comfort also appears to be a significant factor in determining trust in science. Globally, 39% of people living comfortably trusted science a lot", whereas only 20% of those struggling financially shared this sentiment. This disparity highlights the perceived disconnect between scientific progress and everyday life.

Perceptions of who benefits from research are also varied and often contradictory. While a significant majority (81%) believe that scientific work has positive impacts on their community, only one-third (36%) think it benefits most people in their country. Furthermore, nearly one-fifth of respondents (20%) believe that science primarily benefits very few individuals.

According to some experts, the issue is not that people are losing trust in science, but rather that they feel its benefits are not being equitably distributed. One expert noted that when people's lives are difficult and they see no improvement from scientific advancements, they tend to lose faith in the system.

To build trust in science, scientists must demonstrate that they are listening to people's concerns and acting with integrity.

The Global Science Monitor has identified areas where trust has fallen, but it does not provide an explanation for these declines.

According to experts, earning trust is a long-term effort that cannot be taken for granted. It requires more than just communicating the benefits of scientific advancements.

In some regions, such as parts of Africa, the pandemic did not lead to the expected boost in trust experienced elsewhere.

Frustration over the influence on research agendas is a key factor behind skepticism about science, according to experts. This sentiment reflects concerns about whose priorities are being represented in scientific research, rather than doubts about the effectiveness of science itself.

Locally-led research and community engagement are crucial for building trust in science, say researchers. They argue that funding agencies should prioritize research that aligns with regional goals and needs, such as the African Union's Agenda 2063. This approach would ensure that research is relevant to local communities and addresses their specific challenges.

In Western Asia, disparities in research investment, political stability, and access to scientific advances contribute to differing levels of trust in science across countries. While nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE invest heavily in fields such as artificial intelligence, others face severe instability due to ongoing conflicts.

These inequalities can lead to feelings of disconnection among people who perceive themselves as being left behind by scientific progress. This sentiment is particularly evident in countries such as Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Palestine, where ongoing conflicts have disrupted research and development efforts.

The case of Algeria highlights the complex relationship between trust and perceptions of research benefits. Despite a decline in trust levels from 2020 to 2025, Algerians' confidence that research benefits most people continued to increase, surpassing the global average. This anomaly suggests that factors other than trust are at play when it comes to public perceptions of science.

Research in certain regions often lags behind policy implementation, and communication about science is frequently opaque.

This lack of transparency creates an environment where institutions risk being undermined by misinformation and rumors on social media if they fail to engage the public effectively.

In Latin America, there are varying trends from country to country. Brazil has seen a slight increase in trust in science among its population over recent years.

Between 2018 and 2025, the percentage of people expressing some level of trust in science rose from 64% to 74%, after peaking at 76% in 2020.

Meanwhile, Chile's numbers have been more volatile.

The survey highlights a significant correlation between financial hardship and decreased trust in science across various regions. In countries where economic disparities are pronounced, people may view scientific findings as irrelevant to their daily struggles.

Wellcome plans to delve deeper into this issue with qualitative research scheduled for publication in fall 2027, examining the underlying factors driving trust in selected nations. This study will provide valuable insights into the experiences and perceptions of individuals in these regions.