Global survey links financial hardship to lower trust in science
Poor access to health care, limited local influence over research priorities and an unequal distribution of scientific benefits are undermining public confidence in science, experts warn, following the release of a global trust survey.
A global survey conducted in 2025 has revealed that financial hardship is linked to a decline in trust in science. The Wellcome Global Monitor 2026 surveyed over 140,000 people across 140 countries, finding that trust in science had fallen below pre-pandemic levels. Researchers compared results from 108 countries surveyed in 2018, 2020, and 2025, noting that the proportion of respondents expressing at least some trust in science dropped from 77% in 2018 to 72% in 2025.
In contrast, trust in scientists themselves declined, with only 32% of people expressing a lot of trust in scientists in 2025, down from 34% in 2018 and 43% in 2020. The survey found that trust was lowest among those struggling financially, with only 20% of people living comfortably trusting science, compared to 43% among those who had confidence in their country's hospitals and health clinics.
Evelyn Gitau, chief scientific officer at the Science for Africa Foundation, pointed out that people feel science is not addressing their needs, highlighting issues such as vaccine shortages and unequal access to COVID-19 vaccines. She emphasized the need for locally-led research and community engagement to rebuild trust. The survey also revealed regional differences, with parts of Africa not experiencing the same boost in trust seen in other regions.
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