Public confidence has been declining for years, but it has now reached a crisis level. In a survey of 27 countries, 76 percent feel their country is divided. Sixty-eight percent believe their political system is failing and requires major reform, while 62 percent feel their national identity is fading.
Such widespread pessimism across democracies is unusual and may not endure. This sentiment is fostering political instability and populism. Systems and governments that seem outdated and fail to produce better results will face increasing challenges.
Trust in traditional institutions is continuing to decline. Sixty-one percent feel mainstream media have their own agenda and are not trustworthy. Trust levels show medical doctors at 85 percent, big businesses at 41 percent, ChatGPT at 34 percent, and politicians at just 22 percent.
Notably, 47 percent of people feel disconnected from society. When given the Matrix choice between blissful ignorance and complex reality, a quarter of respondents chose ignorance, with this number rising to over a third among Gen Z. Disengagement is becoming common among the younger generation.
Europe’s crucial moment
For European leaders, this situation presents both a warning and an opportunity. Polling indicates strong support—70-80 percent—in every EU country for significant reform and tighter national border controls. The Draghi and Letta reports are perceived as offering the clearest reform roadmap in years, yet implementation is at just 11 percent.
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