France’s crisis of confidence: Trust in institutions plummets, poll shows

A poll conducted by Gallup revealed that France is facing a major crisis of public trust. The survey reveals a sharp decline in confidence across key institutions, fueled by political instability, economic pessimism, and growing concerns about corruption. This dramatic shift in public opinion reflects the deep frustration many French citizens feel with their government and the broader political landscape.

Nation in crisis

Gallup's 2025 findings show that France has experienced an alarming drop in trust across multiple key institutions, with no other European Union country seeing a bigger average loss in confidence this year. Trust in the national government has plummeted by 13 percentage points, now sitting at just 29%.

Meanwhile, confidence in the honesty of elections and the judicial system has similarly fallen, dropping to 51% and 50%, respectively. Trust in financial institutions has also dropped 8 points to 42%, reversing years of steady improvement.

"France’s sharp loss of faith in its institutions comes amid major political upheaval," Gallup notes, citing the chaotic political environment since late 2024, when President Emmanuel Macron struggled to form a stable government.

Over this period, Macron has cycled through multiple prime ministers, each facing difficulties governing without a parliamentary majority. The ongoing instability has led to frequent no-confidence votes and sparked widespread protests, including the largest union-led demonstrations in France since the 2023 pension reform.

Macron’s plummeting approval rating

Amid this turmoil, Macron's personal approval rating has also reached a historic low. At just 28%, his approval has fallen by more than half since his first year in office, when it was a robust 61%. However, Macron's current rating still remains slightly higher than that of his predecessor, François Hollande, who left office with a 19% approval rating. This further highlights the deepening dissatisfaction with France’s political leadership.

Growing desire to leave France

One of the most striking trends uncovered by Gallup is the sharp increase in the number of French citizens expressing a desire to leave the country permanently.

In 2025, 27% of French adults say they would like to emigrate, more than double the percentage from the previous year (11%). Gallup points out that this 16-point jump is one of the most significant increases recorded globally since the survey began in 2007. The top destinations for those looking to leave France include Canada (15%), Switzerland (8%), and Spain and Algeria (both 6%).

Gallup emphasises that the desire to migrate is strongly linked to a lack of trust in national institutions. 

Corruption concerns

Gallup also notes a surge in perceptions of corruption within France, with 68% of adults now saying corruption is widespread in the government—an increase of 13 percentage points from last year. This figure matches the previous high from 2015.

Concerns about corruption extend beyond the government, with 53% of French adults believing corruption is prevalent in businesses as well. Recent legal cases involving politicians like former President Nicolas Sarkozy and the current government, including corruption charges against ministers, have intensified public skepticism about accountability in French politics.

Economic woes continue

Despite France's growing political crisis, economic pessimism remains entrenched. A staggering 67% of French adults say their local economy is getting worse, with only 21% expressing optimism. Gallup’s report underscores that France has been one of the most pessimistic countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for the past decade, a trend that is likely exacerbating the public's dissatisfaction with political leadership.

By Sabina Mammadli