Global Survey Reveals Rising Support for Violence and Disinformation to Drive Change

The Edelman Trust Barometer highlights growing distrust in institutions, economic fears, and the normalization of hostile tactics among young people.

The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer surveyed over 33,000 people across 28 countries, revealing widespread distrust in governments, businesses, and media.
More than half of respondents aged 18-34 support using violence, property damage, or disinformation to achieve societal change, with 31% of Gen Z explicitly endorsing violence.
Economic concerns, including inflation, job insecurity linked to AI and globalization, and class divides, are driving grievances, with only one-third believing the next generation will be better off.
Two-thirds of respondents believe institutional leaders, including CEOs, government officials, and journalists, intentionally mislead the public, exacerbating confusion over credible information.
The findings suggest a need for cross-institutional efforts to rebuild trust, address economic inequality, and restore hope for the future.