Across societies, public trust in the armed forces has long been unusually high compared to other institutions. Polling shows large majorities in many countries say they “trust the military” or have “confidence” in it. For example, a 2017 Pew survey found 66–84% of Western Europeans trust their military (84% in France, 82% in Italy/UK, down to 66% in Spain) , far above trust in banks, media or elected officials. Similarly, 80% of Americans in that survey said they have confidence the U.S. military acts in the public interest . These levels contrast sharply with much lower trust in Congress, parties or the press. Historical data reveal why: after Vietnam-era lows (~50% in 1981), U.S. confidence surged to 85% post–Gulf War and remained above 70% through the 1990s . Only in recent years has U.S. military confidence dipped into the 60% range (a 2023 Gallup poll found 60% “a great deal” or “quite a lot” confident ). In short, the military tends to retain or regain prestige when other institutions are distrusted .
Regional Polls on Military Confidence
Polling by region shows consistently high trust in the military worldwide, even as absolute levels vary. Major findings include:
- United States: Surveys consistently rank the military at the top of public confidence. In 2018, 80% of Americans said they have confidence in the military . This level fell in 2021–2023 after protracted wars: by June 2023 Gallup reported only 60% “a great deal/quite a lot” of confidence (the lowest since 1997). Partisanship matters: Republicans remain far more likely than Democrats to trust the U.S. military .
- Western Europe: Most Western European publics also give their militaries high marks. In Pew’s 2017 survey of eight countries, a median 76% trusted the military (84% France, 82% UK, 82% Italy, 77% Sweden, 74% Denmark, 71% Netherlands, 70% Germany, 66% Spain) . By contrast, only ~40–50% trusted parliaments or media. Recent data show some variance: for example, a 2024 German poll found 75% of Germans had little or no confidence in their army’s ability to defend the country , reflecting lingering postwar pacifism. Overall, Northern and Western European countries tend to have higher military trust than southern or Eastern ones.
- Asia-Pacific: Public opinion surveys are sparser, but military trust is generally strong in this region. For instance, Pew found 54% of Singaporeans have “a lot” of trust in their military . Pew’s cross-national study also noted that in countries like India and Russia, respondents trust the military more than they trust scientists , implying very high confidence. (In contrast, in most European nations more people trusted scientists than the military .) Available data suggest that in Asia “security state” countries or those with external threats often show robust support for the military, though exact percentages are rarely published by Western pollsters.
- Latin America: The Latin American and Caribbean average trust in the military is moderately high. A 2025 OECD survey of six LAC countries found 55% of respondents reported high or moderately high trust in their armed forces – the highest level of trust among all surveyed institutions (beating even the police at 44%) . This mirrors earlier LAPOP (Vanderbilt) research that national economic success tends to boost military trust in the region . (Notably, even countries with recent military dictatorships like Brazil or Chile now see solid military confidence, often above 50%.)
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Recent Afrobarometer data (late 2021–mid 2023) show African publics still rank the military near the top of trusted institutions. A continent-wide average of 61% of respondents say they trust “the army” at least somewhat . In many countries the figure is even higher (e.g. 78% in Tanzania), though in North Africa it can be lower (Tunisia ~34%) . By contrast, fewer Africans express trust in elected governments, police or parliaments . In short, the military and traditional/community leaders remain among the few institutions to retain majority support in much of Africa .
Table: Selected Trust-in-Military Polls. Survey results from major sources illustrate global variation. (“Trust” means respondents say they trust/confidence in the military at least somewhat or “a lot.”)
| Country/Region | Trust in Military (%) | Source |
| France (2017) | 84 % | Pew Research |
| United States (2018) | 80 % | Pew Research |
| Spain (2017) | 66 % | Pew Research |
| Latin America (avg, 2025) | 55 % | OECD LAC Trust Survey |
| Sub-Saharan Africa (avg, 2022) | 61 % | Afrobarometer |
| Singapore (2020) | 54 % (“a lot” trust) | Pew Research |
| Germany (2024) | ~25 % (implied) | Focus/Stripes poll |
Sources: Pew and Gallup surveys for Europe/US ; OECD and LAPOP for Latin America ; Afrobarometer for Africa . (Exact question wording and years vary; entries are illustrative.)
Cultural and Philosophical Context
Underpinning these figures are deep ideas about the military’s role. Social-contract theory offers one foundation: Thomas Hobbes famously argued that by forming a commonwealth, each person “surrender[s]…the right of self-government” to a sovereign who must then guarantee defense . In this view, respect for the military reflects confidence that the state will uphold its side of the pact – protecting citizens from external threat. Civics scholars like Huntington and Janowitz (not cited here) stress that professional, apolitical forces earn civilian trust through competence and integrity. Conversely, critics of militarism warn that too much deference can erode democracy.
Cultural factors also shape attitudes. In some nations, military service is a sacred civic rite: for example, conscription in Israel, Finland or Switzerland instills a sense of shared sacrifice. In others, recent history of abuse or authoritarianism breeds caution (e.g. Germany’s postwar pacifism). Religious or “civil religion” narratives – valorizing fallen soldiers on Memorial Day (U.S.) or Liberation Day (Europe) – help integrate the military into national identity. By contrast, societies with strong pacifist traditions (Japan after WWII, or Costa Rica abolishing its army) deliberately minimize military prestige. Anthropologists note that military culture often encodes values of discipline, loyalty and hierarchy, which may resonate (or clash) with a society’s broader values .
Factors Influencing Military Trust
Surges or dips in respect for the armed forces often correlate with events and social trends. Key influences include:
- War and Conflict Outcomes: Clear victories can boost public trust. Gallup reports that U.S. confidence “surged after the Gulf War victory (to 85% in 1991)” and again after 9/11. By contrast, drawn-out or controversial wars can erosion trust. For example, after the U.S. exit from Afghanistan, confidence in the military fell sharply . Similarly, nations devastated by endless war (e.g. recent Iraq) often see mixed public sentiment toward the military.
- Performance and Resources: Studies find that when a military is well-funded, professional and effective, citizens tend to trust it more . In developing countries, militaries that deliver security or even civic projects (road-building, disaster relief) often build goodwill. Conversely, coups or internal abuse by the military sharply reduce trust , as the armed forces then appear as a domestic threat.
- Economic and Social Context: Public trust in the military can rise with national prosperity. Latin American surveys show that higher GDP growth predicts higher military trust . The logic is that when people feel the economy is doing well, they give the army credit as a stabilizing force. On the other hand, economic hardship or corruption scandals (e.g. wasteful contracts) can undermine confidence.
- Political Polarization: Ideology and partisanship shape confidence. Across many countries, right-wing or conservative citizens tend to trust the military more than left-wing citizens . In the U.S., for example, about 83% of conservative Republicans say they “have a lot” of trust in the military (vs. 32% of liberal Democrats) . Similarly, Europeans who favor nationalist parties often show higher institutional trust overall. Hot-button issues (LGBT policies, budget priorities, etc.) can therefore affect trust among different demographic groups.
- Media and Culture Wars: In recent years, controversies over the military’s role have influenced public opinion. Some analysts note that U.S. conservatives’ accusations of “woke” policies in the military have coincided with drops in confidence . Where the military is depicted positively in film and news (as in a national narrative of heroism), respect tends to be higher; conversely, repeated negative stories (Abu Ghraib-style abuses or political scandals) can erode the image.
Contrasting National Profiles
Notable contrasts highlight how context matters. For example, Nordic countries often report the highest trust in the world. Commentators cite 2019 Gallup data naming Finland and Iceland as having the most trusted militaries globally (each above 80%). Among large democracies, France currently tops Gallup’s confidence polls (86% trust) followed by the U.K. (83%) . These levels eclipse the U.S. (now ~81% before recent declines) . At the other extreme, populations in countries with strong postwar pacifism show very low trust: a 2024 German poll found only about 25% of respondents had confidence in their military’s ability . In nations with legacies of unaccountable armed forces, opinion is mixed (e.g. some Latin Americans grudgingly trust their army for order but fear coups). These differences – from ~25% trust in Germany to ~85% in France – underscore the diversity of “military esteem” around the world.
Conclusion
In sum, public trust in the military is a complex, yet crucial barometer of civil–military relations. World surveys consistently show the armed forces near the top of trusted institutions , but with large swings over time and sharp contrasts between societies. By examining the data across eras and regions, we see how wars, prosperity, ideology and culture shape whether civilians see the military as protector or cause for concern. This deep dive into polling and scholarship reveals the power of critical inquiry: by asking tough questions and following the evidence, we better understand the foundations of democratic trust and can help ensure that societies honor their soldiers in the best interests of the public .