Teachers, Members Of Armed Forces, Doctors Emerge Most Trustworthy: Survey

Urban Indians trust teachers (53 per cent), members of the armed forces (52 per cent) and doctors (51 per cent), most trustworthy, as per the Ipsos Global Trustworthiness Index 2023, which tracked the trustworthiness or untrustworthiness of 18 different groups in the minds of global citizens

Trust for these professions was seen to be higher in India than distrust. Some of the other professions rated trustworthy included scientists (49 per cent), judges (46 per cent), ordinary men and women (4 per cent) and bankers (45 per cent).  

While global citizens rated doctors (58 per cent), scientists (57 per cent), teachers (53 per cent) and members of the armed forces, as the most trustworthy.  

The survey was conducted in 31 countries covering an international sample of 22,816 adults.

Amit Adarkar, CEO, Ipsos India, said, “Urban Indians trust teachers, members of the armed forces and doctors most, as per the Ipsos Global Trustworthiness Index 2023, which is not surprising, and I believe it has to do with dedication and serving the citizens. These professions are the critical cogs in our society – teachers mould the foundation of the society; armed forces display indomitable spirit in securing our frontiers always and every time and doctors display the zeal to keep the society healthy.” 

“During the pandemic while the whole nation was in lockdowns etc, these three professions stepped up and continued to serve the nation. Teachers seamlessly moved to online classes, saving students a crucial year with no disruption. The Armed Forces never let the guard down and doctors did not fail in duty during the pandemic, even at the cost of personal safety,” added Adarkar.  

Teachers high on trustworthiness 

Teachers were seen to be high on trustworthiness across the majority of markets polled, except Japan, where distrust was more than trust. South Korea was also seen to have low trust in teachers. 

Polarized views for trust in armed forces across a number of markets, excluding India 

Untrustworthy professions

Professions perceived to be most untrustworthy by urban Indians were largely those wielding much power: Cabinet officials & government ministers (39 per cent), politicians generally (38 per cent), clergy/ priests (34 per cent), police (33 per cent), govt employers and civil servants (32 per cent), lawyers (32 per cent) and journalists (30 per cent) etc.  

Global citizens had more pronounced views for untrustworthiness: 60 per cent rated politicians most untrustworthy, followed by cabinet officials/ govt. ministers (53 per cent), advertising executives (43 per cent) and clergy/ priests (40 per cent). 

"Perception is not reality. But despite a lot of transparency in Indian politics and functioning of govt departments, citizens continue to distrust them. These professions have never had a squeaky clean image in the always with some instances of corruption surfacing and they have mired the image. Though the actual reality is something else. All these professions come with a lot of accountability with zero tolerance for lack of ethics and have repercussions," stated Adarkar.