HomeIntelligenceThe trust deficit
TN/INT/02
Edition 2027 · effective 1 January 2027
Data story
Six in ten people hold a grievance. Two in three fear their leaders lie to them.
Distrust is what conflict looks like before it has an address. Visible independence is part of the answer.
§ 01Grievance
A world that feels unfair.
Share of people worldwide, 2025
What it means
Grievance needs an address.
When people see no fair place to take a complaint, they take it elsewhere: to the street, to social media, to whoever promises to fight for them. Independent channels, fair chairs and Ombuds give grievance an address before it becomes conflict.
§ 02Connection
Loneliness and division travel together.
People worldwide affected by loneliness, linked to an estimated 871,000 deaths a year.
World Health Organization, Commission on Social Connection · 2025 ↗People who approve of at least one form of hostile activism to drive change (53% of 18–34 year olds).
Edelman Trust Barometer 2025, via Cooley PubCo · 2025 ↗People who worry that journalists, government officials and CEOs intentionally lie to them.
Edelman Trust Barometer 2025, via Cooley PubCo · 2025 ↗§ 03Read with care
Scale of the problem, not proof of a solution.
These figures describe the scale of conflict, distrust or unmet justice need. They are not evidence of the effect of Neutral Evaluation, or of TheNeutralsORG™. Outcome evidence will come from studies of actual neutral interventions, which the Research programme will publish with population, method and limits. See Sources & method.