"Right now, the world in terms of their attitudes about the UN half say that they approve of the job performance of the leadership of the United Nations."
Jon Clifton
Key Takeaways
Global Trust Patterns: Around 50% of people across 40 countries approve of UN leadership, showing moderate confidence globally; however, only 32% of Americans view the UN positively, revealing tensions in US-UN relations. Despite this, 60% of Americans believe the UN should exist and 80% support US membership, suggesting the challenge lies in performance rather than purpose.
Geographic and Demographic Insights: Countries receiving development assistance rate the UN most favorably, while those in conflict zones (Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, Armenia, Libya) give the lowest scores. Unexpectedly, rural, less educated, and lower-income populations form the UN’s strongest support base, and young people remain the most optimistic group, maintaining over 50% approval and belief in international cooperation.
Historical Trends: American trust in the UN has steadily declined over decades, with occasional rebounds during crises such as Rwanda, Iraq, and Bosnia; overall, public approval tends to rise during moments of global instability when the UN’s intervention is most visible.
Action Items
Immediate Research Priorities: Expand survey coverage from 40 to over 100 countries to achieve a fuller global perspective, and use face-to-face interviews to gain qualitative insights into the reasons behind public enthusiasm or disappointment with UN performance.
Strategic Communication Focus: Develop targeted strategies to improve UN perception among Americans while reinforcing existing support, and design outreach initiatives for conflict-affected populations where approval ratings are lowest.
Organizational Development: Invest in programs that strengthen young people’s trust in international cooperation as they transition into leadership roles, and deepen engagement with the UN’s strongest support base in rural, less educated, and lower-income communities.
Performance Improvement: Capitalize on moments of global crisis by delivering effective, visible responses to boost credibility, and enhance communication of concrete UN achievements to skeptical audiences who support the mission but question its execution.
