An updated OECD framework on drivers of trust in public institutions to meet current
and future challenges
Trust between citizens and their governments is crucial for the legitimacy and functioning
of democracies. This paper discusses the main determinants of people’s trust in public
institutions and their measurement, in times of crisis as well as for a long-term,
strong, inclusive and green recovery. It presents evidence on the great variation
in the levels and drivers of trust across public institutions, across levels of government
within countries, and among population groups. It also identifies three main trust
challenges for public governance that were heightened by the COVID-19 crisis: i) people’s
views on the credibility and effectiveness of government action on intergenerational
and often global challenges; ii) the changes in political participation and political
attitudes; and iii) an increasing distrust of and disengagement from democratic processes.
Building on previous OECD work, and taking into account lessons from other crises
and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the paper introduces a revised and expanded
version of the OECD Framework on Drivers of Trust in Public Institutions. Furthermore,
it discusses how this Framework is applied in the OECD Trust Survey. Both the Framework
and the Survey aim to provide governments with actionable evidence to build and maintain
people’s trust as the basis for successful planning and policy reforms, allowing democracies
to be fitter, stronger and more resilient in the future.
Available from December 21, 2021
In series:OECD Working Papers on Public Governanceview more titles