Good governance strengthens trust.

Overall, trust in governments remains at a comparatively low level across OECD member countries. At the same time, the 2026 Trust Survey, published by the OECD on 29 June, shows that positive experiences with public services can significantly strengthen trust in state institutions. The survey highlights that the quality of public administration is a key factor in the acceptance of state institutions.

Since 2021, the OECD has been regularly examining how citizens perceive various public institutions in their country and the extent to which they trust their government. In addition to general trust, the survey analyses the factors that influence this trust – ranging from everyday experiences with public services to the assessment of political decisions in complex policy areas.

Trust in governments varies across the EU

Across the OECD, general trust in national governments has remained broadly stable at around 40 per cent. In Germany, the figure stands at 35 per cent. Within the European Union (EU), citizens in the Nordic countries, as well as in Belgium, Ireland, Portugal and Spain, report comparatively high level of trust in public institutions. By contrast, trust is particularly low in France, Greece and Slovakia. Overall, public administration enjoy greater trust than political institutions. Across the OECD, 46 per cent of the population trust the public service, which also includes social security providers. In Germany, the figure is slightly higher at 49 per cent.

Everyday experiences shape trust

Expectations and perceptions regarding public services as well as day-to-day interactions with public authorities play a much greater role in shaping trust in the public service and local government than in national government. Germany performs better than the OECD average in several areas. These include access to social benefits such as pension payments or unemployment benefits, tolerance for errors in benefit applications, and the fair assessment of benefit claims. Among those who have recently used such services, 65 per cent across the OECD as a whole and 52 per cent in Germany are satisfied with administrative services – an important factor for trust in public institutions at all levels.

Government performance is viewed more critically

Whilst many people view their interactions with public authorities positively, their assessment of government performance on complex and long-term policy issues is significantly more critical. Government action is viewed particularly positively when policy decisions are transparent, based on scientific evidence, responsive to public preferences and balance the interests of present and future generations. These factors are very similar across all OECD member countries.

Majority remains sceptical about AI in the public sector

For the first time, the Trust Survey provides insights into public awareness of artificial intelligence (AI) and citizens' expectations regarding its potential benefits in the public sector. Overall, 60 per cent of respondents across the OECD and 55 per cent in Germany remain sceptical about the use of AI by government institutions and social security organisations. Nevertheless, people in Germany – as in most EU member states – are more positive about the potential use of AI by public authorities in all areas surveyed than the OECD average.