Global Trust in Science Declines Since 2020
Data from the 2026 Wellcome Global Monitor shows public confidence dropped 8 percentage points over five years.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Environmental
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Data from the 2026 Wellcome Global Monitor reveals a decline in global trust in science, which fell from 80% in 2020 to 72% in 2025. The survey, which polled 140,000 individuals across 140 countries, highlights significant regional variances in public perception.
Why it matters
The drop in trust, occurring alongside issues like social inequality and political polarization, suggests that scientific literacy alone is not a safeguard against skepticism. Understanding these shifts is critical for institutions attempting to bridge the gap between researchers and the public.
The Wellcome Global Monitor 2026 recorded a global trust level of 72% across 140 nations. Researchers found no consistent correlation between individual scientific literacy levels and the expressed degree of trust in science.
The players
Wellcome Global Monitor
An international research initiative that tracks global public attitudes toward science and health.
The details
The survey assessed attitudes toward science by querying participants on their confidence in scientific processes and institutions. While analysts attribute the global decline to factors including institutional shortcomings, political polarization, and the proliferation of false information, the study explicitly identifies a lack of a consistent link between an individual's scientific literacy and their reported level of trust.
Timeline
2020: Global trust in science measured at 80%.
2025: Survey conducted among 140,000 participants.
2026: Wellcome Global Monitor released final data.
The Tech Race
This report updates the multi-year longitudinal trends previously established by the Wellcome Global Monitor. By benchmarking trust against regional socioeconomic factors, the findings shift the focus from individual knowledge to the institutional conditions required for public confidence.
The takeaway
The widening gap in public trust signals a need for institutions to re-evaluate their communication strategies beyond simple information dissemination. Observers should track subsequent studies for potential correlations between legislative transparency efforts and recovery in national trust scores.
Further reading
Explore deeper insights into science policy and public sentiment in our Environmental section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tashkenttimes.
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