Trust Issues, Anyone? The Rise of an Insular Mindset.

The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer shows a world turning inward.

Across markets, people are becoming less willing to trust those who think or live differently. Economic pressure, inequality and uncertainty about the future are accelerating the shift. Fewer believe the next generation will be better off, while fears around jobs, AI and instability continue to rise.

As trust declines, it is also narrowing. Confidence is moving closer to home, toward employers and familiar institutions, while skepticism toward outsiders grows. The result is a more divided, less collaborative world.

In this environment, the organisations that move forward will be those that know how to bring people back together.

Explore the report: https://www.edelman.com/uk/trust/2026/trust-barometer