Trust Crisis Hits Western Europe as Young People Grow More Skeptical

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Social trust levels among European teenagers have undergone a significant shift over the past decade. Teenagers in Northern and Western Europe, historically known for high social trust, are showing a decline in trust towards others. Conversely, Eastern and Southern European countries are recording increases. Danish teenagers now rank below their counterparts in Romania, Poland, and Bulgaria on social trust measures. In countries such as Denmark, Finland, and the Netherlands, trust in others has long been considered a vital part of culture and social order. Despite major changes between regions, overall trust levels across Europe remain relatively stable compared to the 2010s. A handshake with a stranger does not carry the same meaning across Europe. In Denmark, Finland, or the Netherlands, trust in others was for years regarded as part of daily life. Societies in these countries consistently ranked among the most trusting in the world. Interestingly, the changes are emerging from the generation raised in these environments. Looking at the European average, not much has changed over the past decade. But when data is broken down by country, the picture is far more dynamic. The trust score for Danish teenagers fell from 8.3 in 2013 to 5.7 in 2025. France declined from 5.0 to 4.0. Meanwhile, Bulgaria rose from 4.2 to 5.4, and Croatia increased from 5.1 to 6.6. The biggest shifts are occurring in unexpected places. For years, Nordic countries were synonymous with high social trust. The decline in Denmark is therefore one of the most striking findings in the data. There is no single explanation for the changes. Research published in the European Journal of Political Economy in 2024 found that social trust is closely linked to trust in institutions, perceptions of fairness, and a sense of belonging in society. Consequently, more prosperous countries do not necessarily have higher trust levels. Social trust is shaped by factors closer to daily life: schools, communities, residential environments, and experiences with public institutions. In several wealthy Western and Northern European countries, young people are increasingly reporting a sense of distance from institutions and their social surroundings. At the same time, some Eastern European countries are enjoying rising living standards and stronger integration with European institutions compared to a decade ago. These two trends are moving in opposite directions but produce the same pattern: Europe’s trust map no longer looks the same. Social trust has often been seen as something inherent to a country. Yet, trust does not remain in one place. It can grow, weaken, and shift direction more rapidly than commonly assumed.