Public trust in science remains steady worldwide

Public trust in science remains steady worldwide

The study shows high trust in scientists, but adds gaps in openness and priorities.

The advent of modern science brought profound changes to human life and thought, often replacing traditional beliefs with evidence-based practices. But concerns have emerged in recent years, suggesting that trust in science may be weakening.

A study published inNatures human behaviorRecently examined public opinions in 68 countries to examine the extent of this perceived decline and the reasons behind it.

Why there is public trust in scientific matters

Trust in science is important to promote public engagement with evidence-based policies in critical areas such as health, climate change and disease management. When trust is high, compliance and cooperation with policies based in scientific research improve significantly.

Previous studies showed that trust in science was widespread, but recent media narratives have challenged this perspective. To better understand the situation, the study analyzed global settings to address potential biases and cultural differences.

Study overview

The study surveyed 71,922 participants across the countries. Conducted between November 2022 and August 2023, it assessed public trust in scientists using a 12-point scale that measured competence, benevolence, integrity and openness. These metrics were combined into a composite index to capture overall trust levels.

Factors affecting trust

The researchers examined how demographic, political and cultural factors influenced trust in scientists. They also considered the impact of unethical research practices, lack of reproducibility, misinformation and conspiracy theories, all of which can undermine public trust in science.

A unique aspect of the study was the focus on social dominance orientation (SDO) and scientific populism. People high in SDO often view science in terms of social hierarchies, which can lead to skepticism, especially when research institutions are viewed as elitist.

Similarly, scientific populism reflects the belief that science is biased and misaligned with societal interests. Both attitudes were associated with lower trust in scientists. The perception of a gap between public expectations and research priorities further contributed to mistrust.

Political polarization also played a role. Conservative and right-leaning individuals generally showed lower levels of trust in scientists, although the extent varied across regions.

Key Findings: Trust Levels and Perceptions

Despite some differences between countries, the study found that trust in scientists remains moderately high worldwide, with an average score of 3.62 on a 5-point scale. Perceived competence was particularly strong, with 78% of respondents rating it highly.

Integrity and benevolence were moderately rated, averaging 3.58 and 3.55 points, respectively. Openness was rated lower, and only 42% of respondents believed that scientists are open to others.

A majority of respondents (75%) agreed that scientific research is the best way to verify the truth. This belief was moderately correlated with higher trust in scientists.

Demographic insights

Trust in scientists was significantly higher among women, older people, urban residents, high earners, liberals and people with higher levels of education. Interestingly, literacy rates and government spending on education had little impact on trust levels.

Religious devotion influenced trust in many ways. In many Muslim-majority countries, religious belief was positively associated with trust in science, while the opposite was observed in the United States.

Political leanings also influenced trust. In the United States, liberals expressed higher trust in scientists compared to conservatives. However, in Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia and Africa, right-leaning individuals are more likely to trust scientists.

In most countries, political orientation—whether left or right—did not correlate strongly with trust, suggesting that leadership attitudes toward science may have a greater influence than individual political beliefs.

Public expectations and research priorities

The study revealed a significant gap between research topics that prioritize public values ​​and those who perceive them. Public health, energy production and poverty reduction were among the top priorities for many respondents.

Conversely, military and defense technology were among the least preferred topics in European and Latin American countries, although they were prioritized by respondents in several African and Asian nations.

Conclusion and implications

The study reinforces that public trust in scientists remains moderately high, challenging the narrative of widespread mistrust. However, the results also highlight areas for improvement, particularly in addressing the perceived lack of openness between scientists and aligning research priorities with public expectations.

The authors emphasize the importance of clear and effective science communication to address the “openness deficit” and build stronger public connections. Even small mistrust, especially when reinforced by influential public figures or media, can disrupt the adoption of evidence-based policies. Addressing issues such as social dominance orientation and improving transparency about research priorities could further strengthen trust in science.

Further research is needed to deepen our understanding of these dynamics. In the meantime, scientists and policymakers must meaningfully engage with the public to promote mutual understanding and trust.

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