UAE Defies Global Distrust Trends

The UAE's Remarkable Trust Index: Openness Against Global Insularity

While increasing insularity, distrust, and social alienation characterize social sentiments in many parts of the world, the United Arab Emirates is moving in the opposite direction. According to the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer results, the UAE leads globally in trust levels, tying with China with an index score of 80. This remarkable result contrasts sharply with the global average, where societal trust is at a low point and isolation increasingly dominates.

The Era of Global Distrust

For over two decades, Edelman has been monitoring the changes in societal trust, and in 2026, the most pronounced trend is insularity—the phenomenon where people become less willing to trust those with different views, backgrounds, or worldviews. According to the research, seven out of ten people worldwide are either uncertain or completely reject people who differ from them—not only culturally but also in terms of values. This represents a dramatic change, indicating that dialogue is increasingly being replaced by reflexive distrust.

UAE: An Exception to the Rule

In this global trend, the UAE is a refreshing exception. According to the survey, the country ranks as the second least insular nation, largely thanks to its highly diverse population and open social atmosphere. More than 200 nationalities live together peacefully and cooperatively in the Emirates, which naturally shapes social attitudes. Diversity here is not a threat but a resource.

Optimistic Outlook in the Region

Another stark contrast in the research is the level of optimism. While globally only 32 percent believe that the next generation will live better, 63 percent of the UAE population believes so—nearly double the international average. This trust is not a coincidence. According to the survey's creators, the institutions operating in the country—be it the government, media, or business sector—are capable of credibly communicating and implementing a shared national vision.

The Shadow of Income Gap and Nationalism

Worldwide, the role of income levels in shaping societal trust is increasing. According to Edelman's research, since 2012, the trust gap between high and low-income groups has more than doubled. The most significant difference is seen in the United States, where this value has reached 29 points.

At the same time, localization is growing. Fewer and fewer people are open to individuals, companies, or ideas from other countries. Only 30 percent of respondents claim they would be willing to trust someone from another culture, while 70 percent are more inclined to retract into their own social environment. Trust draws boundaries, not only socially but economically as well.

Workplaces as New Trust Centers

One of the most interesting findings of the survey is that the new center of trust is not the government, media, or major corporations—but the workplace. People are increasingly attached to their direct employers, colleagues, and leaders. Fifty-eight percent of respondents believe that their workplace effectively mediates between groups with different views, contributing to strengthening social unity. This means that companies and leaders can play a significant role in maintaining social cohesion, possibly much more than traditional institutions.

An Age of Fears, But Not Collapse

While uncertainty is widespread globally—due to fake news, geopolitical tensions, technological changes, and the threat of job loss—the UAE population does not allow these fears to undermine fundamental trust in the country's future. This does not mean that the residents are not concerned about changes, but that they believe the country can handle these challenges well.

Closing Thoughts: What Can We Learn from the UAE?

The UAE's experience shows that a collectively articulated and credibly communicated national vision, a functioning institutional system, and social diversity are not only sustainable but also strengthen societal trust in an era when this is increasingly shaky globally. Openness, acceptance, and communal values have not become outdated—on the contrary, they are essential for building a trust-based future.

While fear and isolation dominate the discourse in many places around the world, the UAE serves as a reminder that another path exists—a path that is not only more sustainable but also more stable and human in the long run.