The 2021 credibility survey Edelman Trust Barometer reveals that there is a strong trust over the UAE’s leadership, with the Emirati Government emerging once again as the most reliable institution in the world.
The UAE government climbed four points since last year and strengthened its position as one of the most trusted governments with 80 percent of respondents’ support, following Saudi Arabia and China, both at 82 percent and a double-digit lead over business and NGOs.
The government also secured a high rating in terms of competence and ethics and is the only societal leader to gain trust since last year, with more than seven in 10 respondents saying they have faith in what government leaders do, while all other leaders failed.
The research also revealed the pandemic has increased personal and societal fears. Scientists have lost four-point than last year but they remain the most trusted, at 79 percent.
Job loss and fear of COVID-19 not contracting, have also emerged as the main concern with 74 percent of respondents witnessed reductions in the workforce of the company they work due to the pandemic and more than half (56 percent) worry that global health crisis will lead to increased job losses due to accelerated automation in various sectors.
Omar Qirem CEO – Edelman Middle East
“Accelerated fears due to the pandemic have led to a major change in people’s priorities and a shift in expectations, with an increased sense of urgency to find solutions for critical societal problems. While the UAE population’s trust in the Government to do so has increased, 71 percent of respondents also believe CEOs, as societal leaders, should step in, with six in 10 agreeing that they should take the lead on change.”
The effects of the COVID-19 have also created a change in expectations for employers, with a dramatic net gain for attributes like job skills training programs and worker/customer safety, along with a diverse and representative workforce and regular employee communications.
“The past year was no doubt marked by uncertainty and a decline in trust in information sources, with one in two people citing their employer communications as the most believable source of information above traditional media, and just after government communications,” Mr. Qirem added.
The survey further reveals that 87 percent of respondents expect CEOs to speak out publicly about societal challenges, like the pandemic impact, job automation, societal issues, as well as local community issues and 64 percent think that CEOs should hold themselves accountable to the public, not just to a board of directors and stakeholders
The 2021 Trust Barometer is Edelman’s 21st annual trust and credibility survey. The research, conducted by Edelman Data & Intelligence (DxI), surveyed a sample of more than 33,000 respondents in 28 markets, including Nigeria for the first time, this year.
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