Saudi Arabia Leads Global Edelman Trust Index on Optimism for Future Generations

Saudi Arabia ranks first in global optimism regarding the future of upcoming generations, according to the Edelman Trust Index for 2025. The report, which gauges global optimism across various nations, found that 69% of Saudi citizens believe the next generation will be better off than the current one, a figure that matches the optimism of China, which also recorded 69%.
This optimism reflects growing confidence in the social and economic reforms underway in the Kingdom, underscoring the positive outlook for Saudi Arabia’s future generations.
In contrast, countries such as France and Germany showed among the least optimism, with France’s optimism rate plunging to just 9%, indicative of broader concerns over economic and social crises.
The report highlights a stark divide in global perceptions of the future. While some nations are confident that future generations will thrive, others foresee significant challenges ahead. This divergence underscores the varying levels of trust and stability across the world.
India ranked third in the study, with 66% of respondents expressing optimism, followed by Indonesia at 65%, the UAE at 60%, Kenya at 53%, and Nigeria at 50%.
Other countries in the top 10 included Thailand, Malaysia, and Argentina (46%), Singapore (42%), South Africa, Colombia, and Mexico (38%), Brazil (34%), the United States (30%), South Korea (24%), Spain and Ireland (22%), Canada (21%), Sweden (19%), the UK and Australia (17%), Italy (15%), Japan, Germany, and the Netherlands (14%), with France trailing at the bottom with 9%.
The Edelman Trust Index is an annual survey measuring trust in institutions across sectors including government, business, media, and non-governmental organizations.
The study, which covers 28 countries, offers a broad view of global sentiments, factoring in population size, economic status, and social and political climates to ensure comprehensive results.