Global trust in science falls below pre-pandemic levels, survey finds

Global confidence in science has slipped below pre-pandemic levels, according to a recent survey conducted by Wellcome, which polled over 140,000 adults worldwide. In 2025, only 72% of respondents expressed trust in science, marking a significant drop from 80% in 2020 and 77% in 2018. The decline in trust was particularly steep among those facing financial difficulties, with only 20% of struggling households reporting high trust in science, compared to 39% of those living comfortably.

The survey also revealed that strong trust in scientists fell from 43% during the pandemic to 32% in 2025, a 16 percentage point decrease compared to a 10 point drop among those without financial challenges. Wellcome's CEO, John-Arne Rottingen, suggested that the politicization of vaccines, masks, and public health measures during the pandemic may have contributed to the erosion of confidence.

The study also uncovered a correlation between trust in healthcare institutions and scientific trust, with 43% of those expressing strong confidence in hospitals and clinics reporting high trust in science, compared to 26% globally. Additionally, vaccination attitudes were closely linked to trust levels, with 34% of respondents willing to accept a recommended vaccine immediately, 48% preferring further consideration, and 15% opting to avoid vaccinations entirely.

The research comes at a time when preventable diseases are resurging, as demonstrated by the U.S.'s recent measles outbreak, which saw nearly 3,900 cases in 2024, marking the worst incidence in three decades. The survey, conducted in collaboration with Gallup and Ipsos, revealed a stark political divide in the U.S., with perceptions of science's benefits varying significantly based on attitudes towards national leadership.

Despite these challenges, the survey found that scientists continue to enjoy higher trust levels than governments and journalists. However, Wellcome cautioned that the findings indicate correlations rather than direct causations of the declining trust in science.