The Economic Daily News reported on the 12th that global public trust in science has dropped below pre-pandemic levels, with trust declining particularly sharply among economically disadvantaged groups.
A global monitoring survey released by the Wellcome Trust shows that in 2025, 72% of respondents worldwide said they trust science at least somewhat, down from 80% in 2020 and 77% in 2018. Meanwhile, the proportion of respondents expressing high trust in scientists fell from 43% in 2020 to 32%. This survey covered more than 140,000 adults globally.
High trust in scientists also showed a similar trend. In 2018, 34% of respondents expressed high trust in scientists, rising to 43% in 2020, but dropping to 32% in 2025.
John-Arne Rottingen, CEO of Wellcome, said that politicized debates during the pandemic surrounding vaccines, masks, and public health measures may be one of the reasons for the decline in trust in science.
*Economically disadvantaged individuals more likely to lose confidence in science*
The survey also found a clear association between economic status and public trust in science, with those facing economic hardship particularly prone to losing confidence in science.
Among respondents who said they struggle to manage daily expenses, only 20% expressed high trust in science, compared to 39% among those with more comfortable economic circumstances—a 19 percentage point difference. (rc)
A global monitoring survey released by the Wellcome Trust shows that in 2025, 72% of respondents worldwide said they trust science at least somewhat, down from 80% in 2020 and 77% in 2018. Meanwhile, the proportion of respondents expressing high trust in scientists fell from 43% in 2020 to 32%. This survey covered more than 140,000 adults globally.
High trust in scientists also showed a similar trend. In 2018, 34% of respondents expressed high trust in scientists, rising to 43% in 2020, but dropping to 32% in 2025.
John-Arne Rottingen, CEO of Wellcome, said that politicized debates during the pandemic surrounding vaccines, masks, and public health measures may be one of the reasons for the decline in trust in science.
*Economically disadvantaged individuals more likely to lose confidence in science*
The survey also found a clear association between economic status and public trust in science, with those facing economic hardship particularly prone to losing confidence in science.
Among respondents who said they struggle to manage daily expenses, only 20% expressed high trust in science, compared to 39% among those with more comfortable economic circumstances—a 19 percentage point difference. (rc)
