Edelman Survey: Indonesians Increasingly Reluctant to Trust Those with Differing Views

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Edelman, a global communications firm, has released its latest findings on changes in trust patterns among Indonesian society.

These findings are presented in the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer Indonesia Report titled “Trust Amid Insularity”.

The report indicates that an average of 66% of Indonesians have insular mindsets. This condition refers to doubts or reluctance to trust people with different values, information sources, approaches to social issues, or backgrounds.

Nevertheless, Indonesia still ranks among the countries with the highest trust levels globally. Indonesia’s Trust Index is recorded at 73.

This score encompasses trust levels towards the business sector, government, media, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The highest trust level comes from employees towards their employers, at 92%.

Edelman’s report also highlights four main pressures affecting trust levels in Indonesian society.

The first pressure stems from rising economic concerns.

79% of employees admit to worrying about losing their jobs due to recession. Additionally, 77% of respondents feel anxious about the impact of trade conflicts and tariffs on their workplaces.

The second pressure arises from declining societal optimism.

56% of Indonesians still believe that future generations will live better lives. However, this figure has dropped nine points compared to the previous year.

The third pressure relates to trust gaps based on income levels.

The report shows a 26-point difference between high- and low-income groups in Indonesia. This places Indonesia among the countries with the largest income-based trust gaps.

These differences are also evident in public perceptions of the ethics and competence of the surveyed institutions.