Uzbekistan Ranks High in Global Science Trust Study
A 2026 report reveals that public confidence in science has declined significantly since 2020.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Environmental
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Uzbekistan holds the third-highest level of public trust in science globally, according to data released in the 2026 Wellcome Global Monitor. The survey, which polled over 140,000 people across 140 nations, shows a significant drop in global scientific confidence.
Why it matters
The decline in public faith in scientific institutions is increasingly linked to political polarization, social inequality, and the spread of false information. Identifying these regional disparities helps researchers understand why trust persists in some areas while fading elsewhere.
The Wellcome Global Monitor 2026 recorded Uzbekistan at 63.8% and Tajikistan at 60.7% in high-level scientific trust, while Russia ranked 67th. The data shows no consistent correlation between individual scientific literacy and reported trust levels.
The players
Wellcome Global Monitor
This international research project periodically surveys public attitudes toward science and health to provide comparative global data.
The details
Researchers surveyed more than 140,000 participants across 140 countries to assess attitudes toward science. The study highlights that global confidence in scientific institutions fell by 8 percentage points over a five-year period.
Timeline
Global trust in science stood at 80% in 2020.
The survey of 140,000 people took place in 2025.
The Wellcome Global Monitor released its findings in 2026.
The Big Picture
This report updates the longitudinal data established by the Wellcome Global Monitor, providing a comparative framework for scientific trust across 140 nations. The findings signal a broader paradigm shift, as previous assumptions regarding a link between scientific literacy and public trust are now being questioned.
The widespread decline in trust could influence how local governments and international health agencies design communication strategies during public crises. Understanding these regional trust levels helps in identifying populations that may be more or less receptive to scientific guidance.
The takeaway
The data suggests that promoting scientific literacy alone is insufficient to bolster public confidence in scientific findings. Addressing systemic issues like political polarization and social inequality is essential for restoring trust in institutional expertise.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest findings in our Environmental section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tashkenttimes.
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