Trust

Trust in other people

General levels of trust in people in Scotland

Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted, or that you can't be too careful in dealing with people? Scotland, 2023

There is a high proportion of people in Scotland who believe most people can be trusted (62.9%), compared to those who feel you can't be too careful in dealing with people (34.7%).

Trust in other people by gender

Trust levels are similar between men and women in Scotland. Men (64.0%) are slightly more likely than women (61.9%) to say that most people can be trusted. The proportion of people who feel you can't be too careful in dealing with people is higher for women (35.4%) than for men (33.9%).

Trust in other people by age group

Trust in other people generally increases with age. The proportion of people who believe most people can be trusted rises consistently from 25-34 year olds (55.0%), through 35-44 year olds (60.9%) and 45-54 year olds (65.1%), reaching the highest level among those aged 55-64 years old (68.7%). The exception to this pattern is the youngest age group (16-24) who report slightly higher trust levels (57.6%) than those aged 25-34, and the oldest age group (65+) who report lower trust levels (61.9%) than those aged 55-64.

Trust in other people by disability

People without a disability are more likely to trust others compared to those with a disability. Among people without a disability, 66.9% believe most people can be trusted, compared to 57.7% of people with a disability. Correspondingly, 40.2% of people with a disability feel you can't be too careful in dealing with people, compared to 30.4% of those without a disability.

Trust in Institutions

Trust in the Scottish Government in the Glasgow City Region

Trust in the Scottish Government by Glasgow City Region local authorities, 2023

The highest level of trust in the Scottish Government within the Glasgow City Region is reported in Inverclyde (50.5%), followed by Glasgow (50.0%), East Renfrewshire (49.8%) and Renfrewshire (47.7%), all above the Scottish average (45.3%). The lowest trust level is in West Dunbartonshire (25.9%).

Trust in the Scottish Government in selected Scottish cities

Trust in the Scottish Government by selected Scottish cities, 2023

Edinburgh residents show the highest trust in the Scottish Government (56.4%) among major Scottish cities, followed by Glasgow (50.0%), Dundee (44.8%) and Aberdeen (38.4%).

Trust in local government in the Glasgow City Region

Trust in local government by Glasgow City Region local authorities, 2023

Trust in local government within the Glasgow City Region is highest in East Renfrewshire (55.7%) and Inverclyde (55.4%), followed by East Dunbartonshire (54.4%) and Renfrewshire (53.1%). West Dunbartonshire shows the lowest trust at 39.9%. The Scottish average for trust in local government is 52.6%.

Trust in local government in selected Scottish cities

Trust in local government by selected Scottish cities, 2023

Trust in local government among major Scottish cities is highest in Edinburgh (58.7%), followed by Dundee (49.5%), Glasgow (47.6%) and Aberdeen (34.4%).

Notes

Every year since 1999, 1,200-1,500 people have been asked to take part in the Scottish Social Attitudes survey on the basis of random probability sampling. Used by the Government, journalists, opinion formers and academics, Scottish Social Attitudes is the gold standard survey series measuring and tracking changes in people's social, political and moral attitudes in Scotland. Further details can be found on the NatCen website.

The West of Scotland is classified as Glasgow City, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire. The data which derives from the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey has a sample size of 345 for the West of Scotland.

This page was updated in March 2025.