South Korea’s central government has achieved a significant milestone, reaching its highest-ever level of public trust according to a recent OECD survey. The nation’s government trust score now stands at 51%, placing it sixth among 38 member countries. This represents a substantial improvement from previous years, with trust levels increasing by approximately 14% and the ranking jumping nine spots.
Government Trust Surpasses Key OECD Nations
The latest findings from the OECD Public Governance Survey reveal that South Korea’s government trust score of 51% positions it favorably compared to several major member nations. Australia ranked seventh, Canada eighth, and the United Kingdom came in 25th. Japan was placed 11th in the survey.
Switzerland led the rankings with 62% public trust, followed by Iceland, Norway, Luxembourg, and Mexico, which rounded out the top five. The average trust level across all OECD member countries was 40%.
High Rankings Across Key Governance Areas
South Korea also performed strongly in specific evaluation categories:
- Government’s Use of AI for Personalized Services: This newly added category saw South Korea secure second place with a score of 59%.
- Satisfaction with Administrative Services: Ranked fifth, indicating a high level of public satisfaction.
- Satisfaction with Healthcare System: Also ranked fifth, reflecting positive public perception of healthcare services.
- Responsiveness to Citizen Feedback for Service Improvement: Achieved a fourth-place ranking, highlighting the government’s attentiveness to public input.
- Policy Responsiveness through Public Consultation: Placed third, demonstrating effective mechanisms for incorporating public opinion into policy-making.
However, not all areas received top marks. The survey indicated areas where South Korea’s performance fell below the OECD average. The possibility of personal information being used solely for legitimate purposes was rated at 47%, ranking 23rd. Similarly, satisfaction with the education system was also at 51%, placing it 23rd.
Historical Trend of Improving Trust
South Korea’s government trust levels have shown a consistent upward trend in recent years, after a period of lower rankings. From 2007 to 2017, the country’s position fluctuated, ranking as low as 32nd in 2017. However, a significant turnaround began in 2019.
The rankings improved steadily from 22nd in 2019, to 20th in 2021, and then dramatically to 7th in 2022. Although there was a slight dip to 15th in 2024, the latest 2026 survey shows a strong rebound, with the 51.03% trust score securing the 6th position.
About the OECD Public Governance Survey
The survey is conducted every two years by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to assess public trust in government institutions across its member and partner countries. This year’s survey included a total of 38 countries, with approximately 2,000 respondents per country participating online. South Korea’s data was collected between September and November of the previous year.
This notable increase in public trust signifies a positive development in South Korea’s governance and public administration, reflecting a growing confidence in the central government’s effectiveness and responsiveness.
