Saudi Arabia ranks as the world’s most trusted government

The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer places Saudi Arabia as the world’s leading country for public trust in government for the third consecutive year.

A total of 89% of respondents said that they trust their government to do what is right, up two percentage points from last year.

The report further suggests that countries with the highest trust levels also demonstrate strong economic growth and high optimism among the population.

Indeed, research increasingly reveals a powerful truth: when citizens trust their government, economies thrive.

This trust creates a virtuous cycle: people invest more, innovate boldly, attract talent to the country and collaborate freely, thereby generating sustainable economic momentum that benefits everyone.

Although measuring government trust presents methodological challenges, the relationship between performance and trust is clear.

The reason is simple: individuals are fundamentally pragmatic. Consequently, when government policies translate into tangible benefits — economic opportunities, improved living standards, accessible services — trust levels invariably rise.

In essence, trust is less about abstract measurement and more about concrete outcomes that people experience in their daily lives.

This pragmatic reality has profound implications for policymakers. Rather than focusing on communication strategies or perception management, governments should prioritize delivering measurable improvements.

When citizens see new businesses opening, infrastructure improving and services becoming more efficient, they do not need surveys to tell them their government is working; they live that reality every day.

Edelman Trust Barometer reveals public’s optimism in country’s prospects.

Consider the contrasting experiences of high-trust and low-trust societies. In high-trust environments, like Saudi Arabia, investors make long-term investments, start ambitious ventures and share knowledge openly.

They operate with confidence that rules are stable, opportunities are real and success will be protected.

Conversely, in low-trust societies, people hoard resources, avoid taking risks and view collaboration with suspicion, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of stagnation.

In conclusion, trust grows through consistent, long‑term policy. In other words, when people see tangible results in their daily lives, trust rises and this is clearly the case in Saudi Arabia during this era.

Governments that understand this invest not in propaganda but in performance, knowing that every successful policy implementation, every improved service, every economic opportunity created adds another layer to the bedrock of public confidence that makes sustained growth possible.

• Nasser bin Hamed Al-Ahmad is a political researcher and writer with more than seven years’ experience in political media. He specializes in analyzing political trends in the MENA region and the US. X: @nasseralahmad3