Finnish Trust in Global Powers has fallen sharply, with a new survey showing deep scepticism toward the United States and other major international actors. Eighty per cent of Finns say trust in society has weakened in recent years, reflecting growing concerns about both domestic and global reliability.
The survey, commissioned by SuomiAreena and the Nordic Council of Ministers and conducted by Verian, found that only 4 per cent of respondents believe the United States contributes to global trust. China and India scored similarly low at 3 per cent, while Russia ranked lowest at 1 per cent. These figures signal a significant erosion of confidence in distant global powers among Finnish citizens.
Domestically, trust is concentrated in national institutions and regional cooperation. The Finnish Defence Forces are the most trusted, with 67 per cent expressing confidence. The president follows at 52 per cent, and the police at 51 per cent. Political parties inspire the least confidence at 3 per cent, while parliament and the prime minister score only 9 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.
SuomiAreena chief executive Antti Lehtinen highlighted the impact of recent crises on public attitudes. “Crises such as the war in Ukraine, the pandemic, economic uncertainty, and polarised public debates are clearly reflected in these results,” he said. These pressures contribute to widespread unease, even as personal trust between citizens remains relatively strong.
International trust shows a clear regional divide. Nordic cooperation is widely viewed as stabilizing, with 80 per cent saying it strengthens societal trust and 67 per cent specifically citing Nordic countries themselves as bolstering confidence. Overall, 84 per cent describe the Nordic region as the best place to live.
Among international organizations, NATO ranks highest, with 44 per cent of respondents saying it increases trust. The European Union and the Nordic Council follow. Major powers outside the Nordic sphere, including the United States, China, India, and Russia, receive very low confidence scores, suggesting Finnish citizens distinguish between regional collaboration and distant global influence.
Social cohesion in Finland remains relatively strong despite broader concerns. Seventy-nine per cent of respondents report trusting other people, but 66 per cent say they are frequently concerned about the direction of social confidence. Only 39 per cent expect trust to improve over the next five years, showing cautious expectations.
The survey also examined views on knowledge and technology. Finnish universities enjoy strong credibility, with 75 per cent seeing them as reliable sources of information. Attitudes toward artificial intelligence are more measured: 26 per cent believe it will improve personal lives within five years, while 44 per cent anticipate broader national benefits.
Responses came from 1,024 Finns aged 18 to 84, collected between February and March 2026. The margin of error is approximately 3.1 percentage points. The results illustrate a society that values local and regional institutions while remaining wary of distant global powers, reflecting a nuanced and cautious perspective on both domestic and international trust.
