Why we trust each other less and less

Result

Trust is a central foundation in every society. It stabilises the social fabric, facilitates cooperation and promotes harmonious coexistence. But who do people currently trust? The majority of Germans currently only trust their partners and friends. Around one in three people still believe the statements of scientific institutions, while only one in twenty are convinced of the sincerity of the media or churches. At the bottom of the rankings are politicians, who are trusted just as little as statements on social media. Within the population, the formally less educated in particular currently lack trust in others. One in five people with a low level of education does not trust anyone.

Reasons

The low level of trust in institutions can be explained by the increasing complexity and opacity of many social processes. Institutions that were once regarded as guarantors of objectivity and reliability have lost credibility in the eyes of many citizens. The media are suspected of not reporting neutrally or of pursuing certain interests. Churches are perceived - instead of as moral authorities - through scandals or as being too dogmatic. Politicians, on the other hand, are often the target of mistrust, be it due to a lack of understanding, unfulfilled promises or a feeling of alienation from the citizens. Citizens with little formal education are particularly sceptical, but are also particularly susceptible to disinformation.

This contrasts with a comparatively high level of trust among partners and friends. Trust in personal relationships is based on mutual experience and a sense of connection. It grows through joint activities, the sharing of joys and challenges and the feeling of support and understanding. These personal bonds create a sense of security and stability, which in turn strengthens trust. To some extent, this trust is still present among colleagues and neighbours, but is already declining significantly here.

Forecast

Trust will continue to be the glue that holds a society together in the future. To maintain this, five areas are of particular importance.

1. Changing media landscapeThe media play a central role in conveying information and forming opinions. In the future, greater efforts must be made to ensure transparency and independence in order to regain the public's trust. At the same time, digital media platforms that focus on greater authenticity and direct interaction with the public will gain in importance.
2. Political representation and participationThe demand for more direct democracy and new opportunities for participation will increase. More participation creates greater understanding, which helps to restore trust in political processes and strengthen the legitimacy of decisions.
3. Education and information literacyFuture education campaigns must aim to strengthen media literacy and improve citizens' ability to critically scrutinise and evaluate information. This is the basis for reducing susceptibility to disinformation and strengthening trust in institutions.
4. Social ties and a sense of communityThe high level of trust in personal relationships shows the importance of closeness, shared experience and emotional connection. Future social developments should therefore increasingly aim to promote social interaction and community initiatives. The basis for this is the circle of family and friends, which - as a first step - will be expanded via the college and the neighbourhood.
5. Institutional reforms and transparencyAll institutions must intensify their efforts to implement reforms aimed at greater transparency, accountability and proximity to citizens. Open communication about challenges and missteps as well as consistent action to restore lost trust are crucial to regaining credibility.