Trust in Government Public trust in government remains low. In 2025, 33% of Americans say they trust the federal government. That is roughly the same amount as in 2022 after a decline in 2024. Next How much do you trust the federal government? Trust Do not trust Question was asked on a scale of 0 to 10. “Do not trust” includes answers from 0 to 4. “Neutral” includes answers of 5. “Trust” includes answers from 6 to 10. Data Source: 2025 Source: Partnership for Public Service Survey of 800 adults from Mar. 31 to Apr. 6, 2025 (no link available yet) 2024 Source: Partnership for Public Service survey of 800 U.S. adults from Mar. 25 to Apr. 1, 2024. 2023 Source: The Partnership did not conduct a national survey in 2023. 2022 Source: Partnership for Public Service survey of 800 U.S. adults from Nov. 29 to Dec. 6, 2022. Trust in Government Trust by various demographics. In 2025, more Republicans say they trust the government than Democrats or independents. The differences between other demographic groups are smaller. Previous Next How much do you trust the federal government? Overall Age Education Gender Political affiliation Political affiliation and gender Race/ethnicity 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Non-college grad College grad Post-grad degree Female Male Democrat Republican Independent/Don't know Female Democrat Male Democrat Female Republican Male Republican White Black or African American Hispanic or Latino Question was asked on a scale of 0 to 10. “Do not trust” includes answers from 0 to 4. “Neutral” includes answers of 5. “Trust” includes answers from 6 to 10. Data Source: Partnership for Public Service Survey of 800 adults from Mar. 31 to Apr. 6, 2025 (no link available yet) Trust in Government Negative perceptions about government and its impact persist. Two-thirds of Americans say the government is corrupt. While the majority say the federal government is wasteful (61%), that is down dramatically from the previous year (85%). Previous Next The federal government ... ... is accountable for what it does and how it works ... is corrupt ... is wasteful Data Source: 2025 Source: Partnership for Public Service Survey of 800 adults from Mar. 31 to Apr. 6, 2025 (no link available yet) 2024 Source: Partnership for Public Service survey of 800 U.S. adults from Mar. 25 to Apr. 1, 2024. 2023 Source: The Partnership did not conduct a national survey in 2023. 2022 Source: Partnership for Public Service survey of 800 U.S. adults from Nov. 29 to Dec. 6, 2022. Trust in Government Americans across the partisan divide believe an effective government is important to a strong democracy. Previous Next Government’s role in democracy Having a federal government that functions effectively is important for a strong American democracy. Data Source: 2025 Source: Partnership for Public Service Survey of 800 adults from Mar. 31 to Apr. 6, 2025 (no link available yet) Trust in Government Civil servants continue to be viewed more favorably than the federal government as a whole. This has been consistently true since we started conducting surveys in 2021. In 2025, the majority of Americans say federal civil servants are competent, are committed to helping “people like me” and can be trusted to serve leaders of both political parties. Previous Most federal civil servants ... ... are committed to helping people like me ... are competent ... can be trusted to serve leaders of both political parties* *Question was not asked in 2021. Data Source: 2025 Source: Partnership for Public Service Survey of 800 adults from Mar. 31 to Apr. 6, 2025 (no link available yet) 2024 Source: Partnership for Public Service survey of 800 U.S. adults from Mar. 25 to Apr. 1, 2024. 2023 Source: The Partnership did not conduct a national survey in 2023. 2022 Source: Partnership for Public Service survey of 800 U.S. adults from Nov. 29 to Dec. 6, 2022.
