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    Start your journey with Edelman

    Looking for work that matters? Explore careers at Edelman and join a global team committed to shaping conversations, building trust, and driving change.

     BROWSE CAREERS gn-img/
    Contact

    Whether you're looking for strategic guidance or specific expertise, our team is ready to help. Contact us to explore how Edelman can partner with your business.

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    Featured In an Insular World, Trust Is Earned — and Expanded — Through Creators The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer reveals a shift toward insular trust. Discover how creators help brands build credibility within trusted communities. KEEP READING A Visit to Halas Hall Edelman is working with the Chicago Bears on their quest for a new stadium. CEO Richard Edelman reflects on his visit with club President and CEO Kevin Warren at Halas Hall, the team headquarters named for team founder George Halas. KEEP READING WPP Makes PR the Supporting Cast WPP’s decision to place Burson within WPP Creative underscores a wider shift to positioning PR in support of advertising-led models. Richard Edelman explains why this opens space in reputation management and Earned First communications—and how Edelman is investing in earned media and trust to lead the next era of communications. KEEP READING Explore All Insights

      Trust Amid Insularity

      DOWNLOAD INDIA REPORT

    .

    From a crisis of grievance to a crisis of insularity

    The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer reveals a world retreating towards insularity. As economic anxiety, geopolitical tension, and technological disruption intensify, people are narrowing their world to smaller, familiar circles that reflect their views, and this hinders economic and societal progress.

    Read the 2026 report to understand a path forward to restoring trust and rebuilding connection and collaboration across society.

    INDIA REPORT

    In India, Nearly 1 in 2 Have an Insular Mindset

    Nearly half the population shows a preference to trust those who think like them, read the same media, or share similar values.

    There is global consensus that insularity must be addressed

    In India, there is broad expectation for institutions to actively bridge divides and facilitate trust-building between groups who distrust each other.

    In India, Mandate for All Institutions to Bridge Trust; Employers Best Positioned

    Employers have the smallest gap between expectations and performance in bridging divides, compared with government, business, NGOs, and media.

     

    Discover the Trust insights shaping 2026

    A full look at this year’s findings — and what they mean for businesses, leaders, and society.

    EXPLORE THE FINDINGS

     

     

    Brokering trust in the age of insularity

     

     

    1. India’s Trust is Rising Yet its World is Shrinking

    While India remains a relatively high-trust country, there are signs of insularity. Nearly half the population shows a preference to trust those who think like them, read the same media, or share similar values. Trust is becoming narrower even when overall trust remains strong.

     

    2. Mass Class Divide Deepens

    One of the most important signals in India this year is trust inequality. Since 2012, the gap in trust between high- and low- income groups has been widening globally, with trust rising among high earners while lagging among low-income groups. In India there is a 16-point gap in trust levels between higher-income and lower-income groups.

     

    3. Nationalism is Widespread

    Trust favors domestic over foreign companies, signaling stronger net nationalist trust. It is the tendency for people to trust companies from their own country more than companies from abroad.

     

    4. Optimism for the Future Wanes

    Globally, just 32% believe the next generation will be better off, with the biggest declines in India (-13 pts), and China (-13 pts) over the past year.

    Explore the findings 

    DOWNLOAD INDIA REPORT

    .

    Top Findings

    01

    India’s Trust is Rising Yet its World is Shrinking
    ⟲

    While India remains a relatively high-trust country, there are signs of insularity. Nearly half the population shows a preference to trust those who think like them, read the same media, or share similar values. Trust is becoming narrower even when overall trust remains strong.

    02

    Mass Class Divide Deepens
    ⟲

    One of the most important signals in India this year is trust inequality. Since 2012, the gap in trust between high- and low- income groups has been widening globally, with trust rising among high earners while lagging among low-income groups. In India there is a 16-point gap in trust levels between higher-income and lower-income groups.

    03

    Nationalism is Widespread
    ⟲

    Trust favors domestic over foreign companies, signaling stronger net nationalist trust. It is the tendency for people to trust companies from their own country more than companies from abroad.

    DOWNLOAD TOP 10

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    Methodology: The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer is the firm’s 26th annual Trust survey. The research was produced by the Edelman Trust Institute and consists of 30-minute online interviews conducted between October 25 and November 16, 2025. Learn more >

    33,938
    Respondents

    28
    Countries 

    ±1,200
    Respondents/Country

    Business has a role to play in fixing the crisis of insularity

    Learn how we can help your company bridge the gap.
    CONTACT US