UAE Tops Global Trust Index with 80 Points, Ranks First Worldwide in Employee Trust in Employers

Dubai – EcoPulse24

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has achieved an exceptional accomplishment by ranking first globally (tied with China) in the Edelman Trust Index 2026, scoring 80 points - an 8-point leap from 72 points in 2025. The UAE outperformed 28 countries surveyed in this prominent global measure of public trust in institutions.

Historic 8-Point Leap in One Year

The UAE and China both scored 80 points, placing them at the top, ahead of major countries such as India (74), Indonesia (73), and Saudi Arabia (73). Advanced economies trailed behind, with the US at 47, the UK at 44, Germany at 44, France at 42, and Japan at 38. The UAE’s 8-point increase in a single year underscores rapid and sustainable growth in public trust in national institutions.

World's Highest Employee Trust in Employers

The UAE ranked first globally in employee trust in employers at 88%, far above the global average of 78%, and up 8 points from 2025. This makes UAE employers the most trusted institution in the country.

Comprehensive Institutional Excellence

The table highlights the UAE’s clear lead in all four institutional categories, especially government (+33 points) and business (+20 points) over global averages.

An Open Society in a Closing World

While the global report shows that 7 in 10 people worldwide hesitate to trust those with different values or backgrounds, the UAE stands as a global exception:

• Only 48% of UAE residents hesitate to trust those who are different, compared to 70% globally
• The UAE is among the least closed societies globally, with a majority open to trust across differences
• 56% of UAE residents regularly obtain information from sources with varying political orientations

By contrast, the closure rate is 90% in Japan, 81% in Germany, 76% in the UK, 73% in Canada, and 70% in the US.

Optimism for the Future: UAE Defies Global Trends

While global optimism is declining (only 32% believe the next generation will be better off - France 6%, Germany 8%, Canada 16%, US 21%), the UAE moves against the tide:

• 63% of UAE residents are optimistic about a better life for the next generation
• The UAE is among the most forward-looking societies worldwide
• Optimism reflects confidence in institutional leadership and ongoing development

The Role of Leadership in Building Trust

The report notes that Emiratis have high expectations of their leaders:

• 83% believe CEOs are obligated to build bridges of trust between different groups
• 62% think leaders do this effectively (room for improvement)
• 85% say constructive engagement with critics boosts trust

Most Effective Trust-Building Measures:

1. Constructive engagement with critics (85%)
2. Openness to dialogue over withdrawing from disagreement (83%)
3. Consulting people from varied backgrounds and values in decision-making (75%)
4. Constructive engagement with employees who criticize the company (74%)

Analysis: Reasons for the UAE’s Excellence

1. Political and Economic Stability: Exceptional stability in a geopolitically challenging region boosts trust in public and private institutions.
2. Diversity as Strength: With over 200 nationalities, UAE’s inclusive policies have turned diversity into an asset, bucking the global trend toward insularity.
3. Transparency and Accountability: Both government and private institutions in the UAE maintain high levels of transparency and accountability, strengthening public trust.
4. Investment in the Future: Vision 2030, major infrastructure projects, and digital transformation foster optimism and trust in leadership’s ability to deliver.
5. Positive Work Environment: Proactive labor policies, thoughtful Emiratization, and worker rights protection have made the UAE top globally in employee trust in employers.

Global Context: Trust Crisis in the West

While the UAE and emerging markets lead in trust, advanced economies face a worsening trust crisis:

1. Economic Anxiety: Two-thirds of global employees are concerned about trade policies and tariffs impacting their employers
2. Collapse of Optimism: Only 32% believe the next generation will be better off
3. Erosion of Institutional Trust: The rich-poor trust gap has widened from 6 points (2012) to 15 points (2026)
4. Rise of Nationalism: Trust in local companies far exceeds trust in foreign firms

Major trust factors in the past five years include: inflation (54%), misinformation (50%), COVID-19 pandemic (43%), trade wars (37%), and the rise of generative AI platforms (37%).

UAE Leadership Comments

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, commented on Twitter: "The UAE ranked first globally in government trust... Trust is not bought with money, nor made by media... It is built through continuous work, fulfilling promises, achievement legitimacy, fair laws, and respect for people."

Nada Lone, Head of Edelman Middle East Abu Dhabi Office, said: "While societies worldwide tend towards closure, the UAE continues to demonstrate the strength that comes from trust in institutions, employers, and leadership. Trust in the UAE remains robust even among the most cautious public. In a highly diverse society, this matters. It creates a solid foundation for leadership, one not built on avoiding differences but engaging with them constructively."

Methodology

The Edelman Trust Index 2026 is the company’s 26th annual survey, produced by the Edelman Trust Institute. It comprised 30-minute online interviews conducted between October 23 and November 18, 2025, with around 34,000 participants across 28 countries. Results were announced during the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 18, 2026.

Outlook

This achievement positions the UAE as a global leader and model for diverse societies building trust through strong institutions and effective leadership. In a world trending toward skepticism and closure, the UAE offers an alternative, proving trust can flourish where institutions are transparent, leadership accountable, and society open.

As the UAE continues to implement its ambitious vision for the future, it is expected to maintain and even strengthen its standing as a global center for trust, stability, and progress.

Last updated: February 5, 2026