Trust in Government The level of trust in the federal government remains low. Only 35% of Americans say they trust the federal government compared with 46% who say they do not and 16% who are neutral. Democrats are far more likely to trust the government than Republicans and Independents. 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 U.S. adults from Nov. 29 to Dec. 6, 2022. Trust in Government When asked about the federal government as a whole, Americans tend to express mostly negative views. Only 42% say the federal government has a positive impact on the country. About 70% say the federal government is “wasteful,” “too bureaucratic” and “corrupt.” Only about 20% say the government “listens to the public” or is “transparent.” Previous Next Views of the federal government Data Source: Partnership for Public Service survey of 800 U.S. adults from Nov. 29 to Dec. 6, 2022. Trust in Government Many Americans equate the federal government with Congress. Previous research by the Partnership suggests that most people think of Congress when they are asked about the federal government in general. Only 30% of Americans say they approve of members of Congress. Previous Next Views on different levels of government and government employees Data Source: Partnership for Public Service survey of 800 U.S. adults from Nov. 29 to Dec. 6, 2022. Trust in Government Americans generally view civil servants positively. They say federal employees are "competent" by a ratio of more than 2-to-1. Far more Americans agree civil servants are "doing public service" than disagree and say that they are "hard workers." Previous Next Views of federal employees Data Source: Partnership for Public Service survey of 800 U.S. adults from Nov. 29 to Dec. 6, 2022. Trust in Government Most well-known federal agencies are viewed favorably. Of 13 agencies the Partnership asked respondents about in 2021, Americans viewed 12 of those agencies more favorably than unfavorably, some by wide margins. For example, 84% of Americans had a favorable view of the National Park Service, while 69% viewed the Social Security Administration favorably. Previous Next Views of federal agencies Note: Due to rounding, rows may not add up to 100%. Data Source: Partnership for Public Service survey of 2,301 U.S. adults from Oct. 18-24, 2021. Trust in Government Americans give high marks to many government services. More than 70% of Americans who received specific federal services say they were satisfied with the interaction. This includes people who filed federal taxes, voted in federal elections, applied for Medicare or Medicaid, applied for a passport, signed up for an account on a government website or applied for federal student aid. Previous Americans who have interacted with the federal government have generally been satisfied Applied for a passport Applied for federal student aid Applied for Medicare or Medicaid Filed federal taxes Signed up for an account on a government website Voted in federal election 52% of respondents have applied for a passport 33% of respondents have applied for federal student aid 58% of respondents have applied for Medicare or Medicaid 93% of respondents have filed federal taxes 46% of respondents have signed up for an account on a government website 79% of respondents have voted in federal election Data Source: Partnership for Public Service survey of 800 U.S. adults from Nov. 29 to Dec. 6, 2022.
