Trust and Solidarity at the Heart of Social Progress

Trust is a fundamental pillar of social cohesion and collective action. Yet the 2025 World Social Report on “A New Policy Consensus to Accelerate Social Progress” highlights a worrying global erosion of trust in institutions. More than half of the world’s population now has little or no trust in their government, and trust has declined from one birth cohort to the next. People born in the 21st century display the lowest levels of institutional trust yet recorded.

Without effective interventions, these downward trends risk persisting. Younger generations, shaped by uncertainty, inequality, and a sense of exclusion, are especially skeptical of governance structures. This generational decline is a global phenomenon, visible across diverse regions.

When trust erodes, polarization deepens. Differences and disagreements increasingly translate into animosity, creating societal fault lines and weakening cohesion. By contrast, higher trust is closely linked to how people perceive inequality, public spending, and their own economic circumstances. Positive evaluations of social expenditure often correlate with stronger legitimacy and confidence in leadership.

This means that effective social policy can spark a virtuous cycle: when governments deliver tangible services and protection, particularly for the vulnerable, they reinforce trust, which in turn strengthens institutions and social solidarity.

The digital era introduces new challenges. While digital technologies offer tools for collective action, they also amplify misinformation, disinformation, and echo chambers that feed mistrust. Solutions such as fact-checking, content labeling, and investment in media and information literacy are essential to rebuild constructive dialogue and mitigate harm.

Rebuilding trust also depends on inclusive institutions rooted in fairness, equity, and recognition. Globally, for example, about 22 per cent of children under age five lack birth registration, limiting their access to essential services and undermining social inclusion. Meeting the global commitment to provide legal identity for all is therefore critical to fostering belonging and trust.

Social cohesion thrives when cooperation and solidarity are embedded in institutions and norms. These changes take time, as they are shaped by culture and collective values. But governments, by safeguarding equity, modeling solidarity, and building inclusive systems, can accelerate this transformation.

A new policy consensus is urgently needed, one grounded in equity, security, and solidarity, to rebuild trust and accelerate social progress.

To read the full report, please click here.