Who People Trust Most Doctors, Scientists, and Teachers

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Top Trusted Professions and Figures in 2025: A Global Perspective

Doctors Continue to Lead in Public Trust
With a staggering 58% of people worldwide placing their faith in medical professionals, doctors remain the most trusted figures in 2025. This enduring trust reflects the critical role healthcare providers play, especially after the lingering effects of global health crises. Patients rely heavily on their physicians for guidance, reassurance, and treatment, reinforcing doctors’ positions at the top of the trust hierarchy.
Scientists Maintain Their Credibility
Coming in closely behind physicians, scientists are trusted by 56% of the population. Their expertise in understanding complex global issues such as climate change, mental health, and technological innovations positions them as essential sources of accurate information. The ongoing emphasis on scientific literacy and innovations continues to bolster their reputability.
Teachers Stay Essential Pillars of Society
A solid 54% of respondents trust teachers, underscoring the importance of education in shaping societies. As the world faces rapid technological advancement and societal change, educators remain the key figures guiding future generations. The respect for teachers also underscores the value placed on knowledge and lifelong learning.
Restaurant Staff: Surprising Yet Trusted Service Providers
Forty-four percent of global respondents trust restaurant serving staff. Despite being perceived primarily as service workers, the role of hospitality workers as cultural ambassadors and community connectors enhances their trustworthiness in the eyes of the public.
Armed Forces Appreciate Strong Public Confidence
At 43%, members of the military are trusted figures for many individuals across nations. Their association with national security and protection underpins this trust, especially in regions emphasizing security and defense.
Police Officers: A Mixed but Important Trust Factor
With 38% of respondents trusting police, law enforcement remains a significant, though occasionally fluctuating, pillar of public confidence. Maintaining community relations and transparency continues to influence this trust level.
Everyday Citizens: The Power of Community Trust
Also at 38%, ordinary men and women are recognized as trustworthy figures. This highlights the importance of community relationships and the value people place on relatable, authentic individuals in positions of influence.
Judges and the Justice System
Sharing the 38% trust level, judges and the judiciary are seen as crucial arbiters of fairness. Their perceived impartiality and authority are foundational to the rule of law, which underpins many societal institutions globally.
Legal Professionals and Media Figures
Lawyers enjoy a 31% trust rate, compared to 30% for TV news anchors. The media’s influence remains strong, but trust varies based on perceived bias and accuracy. Courtiers of justice, including lawyers, are regarded as vital voices in shaping justice and ethics.
Pollsters and Religious Leaders
Pollsters, trusted by 29%, play a vital role in gauging public opinion, especially in democratic societies. Similarly, clergy or priests share that 29% trust level, highlighting continued spiritual and moral guidance importance in many communities.
Service and Civil Service Providers
Taxi drivers (28%) and civil servants (also 28%) demonstrate that everyday service providers still earn a significant amount of trust. Their proximity to daily life and community well-being grants them vital societal roles.
Media and Financial Sector
Journalists and bankers, each trusted by 27%, face ongoing scrutiny but remain integral in disseminating information and managing financial stability.
Business Leaders and Political Figures
Business leaders see a 26% trust rating, while government ministers are trusted by just 20%. Politicians, generally, only gather 15%, reflecting ongoing skepticism around leadership and governance.
Next Generation Influencers & Advertisers
Social media influencers and advertising executives trail further behind, garnering 15% and 19% trust respectively. This highlights the shifting landscape of influence, with traditional figures still holding more sway than digital personalities.

The Global Trust Landscape in 2025
The latest Ipsos Global Trustworthiness Index 2024, based on a survey of 23,530 adults under age 75 across 32 countries, underscores enduring faith in professions tied to health, science, and education. Simultaneously, trust in political figures and social media influencers continues to decline, signaling ongoing challenges in societal credibility.

While trust fluctuates according to regions and circumstances, the unwavering confidence in healthcare professionals, scientists, and educators demonstrates humanity’s persistent reliance on expertise in uncertain times. As societies evolve, so too will the figures they hold in high regard, shaping the future of social trust worldwide.