Full Breakdown
Global Survey Shows Growing Trust in International Bodies, Declining Comfort with U.S. and China Leadership
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Findings of the Rockefeller Foundation Poll
The poll commissioned by the Rockefeller Foundation surveyed more than 35,000 adults in 34 countries from July 21 to August 5. Only 39 % said they were comfortable with the United States taking a leading role in world affairs, and 37 % felt the same about China. By contrast, 60 % expressed comfort with Canada leading, followed by Japan (58 %) and Australia (55 %). The European Union (55 %) and Britain (54 %) were close behind, while the United Nations earned 52 % support.
Trust in multilateral institutions rose sharply: the World Health Organization increased to 69 % from 61 %; the United Nations to 62 % from 58 %; the World Bank to 55 % from 46 %; the International Monetary Fund to 51 % from 43 %; the International Criminal Court to 54 % from 48 %; and the World Trade Organization to 57 % from 50 %.
Overall, 57 % of respondents said countries should cooperate on global challenges even if it means compromising some national interests, up from 55 % in the previous year.
Context Behind Shifting Opinions
The survey was released ahead of the United Nations General Assembly as the world grapples with a seven-month war that began when the United States and Israel launched a campaign against Iran on February 28, prompting Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which carried 20 % of global oil supplies. The conflict has spread to Lebanon, Yemen and Saudi Arabia, adding pressure to already high oil prices. Earlier, sweeping tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on imports from nearly every country contributed to economic pessimism, with nearly 70 % of those surveyed saying the world had become worse over the past year. Optimism about national economies fell to 38 %, with sharp drops in India (down 26 points to 50 %) and China (down 16 points to 56 %).
Official Commentary
Eric Pelofsky, vice-president of the Rockefeller Foundation, said the results demonstrate the credibility of a “middle-powers” approach championed by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Pelofsky described the low comfort with U.S. leadership as a “gut punch,” reflecting what he called a deep erosion of global leadership by the United States.
Implications for Global Governance
The poll suggests a growing public appetite for multilateral solutions and a shift away from reliance on the United States or China to steer global affairs. Rising confidence in institutions such as the WHO, UN, World Bank and IMF could empower these bodies to play larger roles in addressing security, health and economic challenges, while middle-power nations like Canada may find increased diplomatic space to influence the international agenda.
