Full Breakdown
Record-High Perception of Government Corruption Among U.S. Adults
9/2/2026, 8:46:25 PM
Core Event
A new Gallup poll finds that 89 % of U.S. adults say government corruption is widespread—the highest level recorded in the past two decades. The figure is up 10 percentage points from the previous year and exceeds the 72 %–79 % range observed between 2010 and 2025.
Background & Context
Gallup has asked this question annually in the United States and in the 38 OECD member countries. Over the same period, the OECD median perception of corruption fell from 69 % in 2009 to 59 % in 2025. The United States therefore now tops the OECD rankings for perceived government corruption. Since 2023, only four of the 132 countries surveyed have recorded higher scores than the U.S. this year: Lebanon (92 % in 2024), Peru (92 % in 2025), Ghana (90 % in 2024) and Nigeria (90 % in 2024).
Data & Statistics
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Adults saying government corruption is widespread | 89 % | Gallup |
| Adults saying business corruption is widespread | 71 % (up 8 points) | Gallup |
| Gap between government and business corruption perceptions | 18 % | Gallup |
| Democratic respondents perceiving widespread corruption | 91 % (up from 57 % in Biden’s final year) | Gallup |
| Independent respondents | 90 % (up 12 points since 2024) | Gallup |
| Republican respondents | 83 % (steady, similar to 87 % in 2024) | Gallup |
| OECD median perception (2025) | 59 % | Gallup |
| Survey field dates | May 1 to June 10 (1,000 adults, margin of error 4.1 pp) | Gallup |
Official Statements & Responses
Gallup notes that while both parties now share a high level of concern, the drivers differ. Democrats’ views appear closely tied to which party holds the White House, with a sharp rise after President Donald Trump began his second term. Republicans’ responses have remained relatively stable, suggesting a more persistent underlying view of corruption that is less dependent on partisan control.
Transparency International’s U.S.
Verbatim Quotes
- “On the one side, there is a strong drumbeat from Democrats calling out the president's corruption and his actions,” — Gary Kalman, the director of the U
Why It Matters
The convergence of Democratic and Republican views on government corruption marks a rare instance of bipartisan alarm. The large gap between perceptions of government and business corruption—18 %—contrasts with the historical average of an 11-point gap (2006-2025), highlighting a unique U.S. trend where citizens see the government as far more corrupt than the private sector. This sentiment may influence electoral dynamics, policy debates, and public trust in institutions.
