There is heightened pessimism about the prospects for the next generation of Canadians, according to the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer.

The barometer, which spans 28 countries and includes 33,000 respondents (including 2,124 from Canada), found that only 21% of Canadian respondents agree with the statement, “compared to today, the next generation will be better off,” the sixth lowest among countries surveyed.

Only 9% of French citizens agreed, making France the most pessimistic about the economic fortunes of the next generation. By contrast, 69% of Chinese and Saudi citizens agreed with the statement.

The barometer also reveals that significantly more Canadians agree that, “I worry about experiencing prejudice, discrimination, or racism” (50% for 2025, and +8% year-over-year). Malaysian report being the most worried, at 78%.

Edelman also notes an “unprecedented” global decline for employer trust, with 2% fewer Canadians than in 2024 agreeing with the statement, “I trust my employer to do what’s right.”

While 75% of Canadian respondents still nonetheless agreed with the sentiment, that number was only 48% for South Korea, the least trusting country in the barometer. “Significant” declines (-7%) were seen in Germany, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

Canadians’ trust in business has slipped 2% year-over-year, to 55%. South Korea and Germany were two of the least trusting, 43% and 45%, both seeing declines.

The barometer also revealed that percent trust in companies headquartered in each country, among respondents from outside each country being rated, is down 1% year over year for Canada to 65%. India scored the lowest, at 36%, followed by Mexico at 38%.

In countries with national elections or changes in government leadership in the past year, Canadians are neutral about whether these can improve trust, with little change between 2024 and 2025 (52% versus 53% in 2024).

Argentina saw the biggest spike in government trust (+9%), with the election of Javier Milei, and the World Bank recently projecting 5% growth for the South American country’s economy in 2025.

In terms of average percent trust in business, government, media, NGOs, low income Canadians fall into the “distrust” category, scoring a 49 on the Trust Index, well behind most trusting China and Indonesia.

High income Canadians fall into the “neutral” category, scoring a 55 on the Trust Index and well behind the most trusting, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and China.

Finally, global respondents are more worried about foreign competition (+6%), offshoring (6+%), international trade conflicts (+5%), automation (+5%), than in 2024.