Increased income inequality and a heightening scepticism towards ‘elite’ organisations has created the biggest ever trust gap between people working for organisations, and the general population.

Findings from the 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer indicate that the global trust gap is now at 12 points, with over 60% of countries surveyed demonstrating less than 50% trust in figures of authority, such as politicians or CEOs. The top four countries with the greatest levels of disparity are cited as the USA with a 20-point difference, the UK on 17 and France and India, with 16 points apiece.

There is also a growing trend among populations to be less optimistic about their future prospects, which fuels the trust divide. In over two-thirds of the surveyed countries, less than half of survey respondents were optimistic about their five-year prospects; the widening gap between the ‘elite’ and everyday populations is felt more keenly than in previous years.

Despite these perhaps worrying statistics, however, the Edelman Trust Barometer also indicates a rising trust in businesses to keep pace with changes occurring in the global economy and society in general. Another consensus drawn from the survey results is that in 21 out of 28 countries surveyed, business is more trusted than the government sector. In fact, governments remain the least trusted institution for the fifth year in a row.

While NGOs remain the most trusted organisations, business is catching up through an increased focus on CSR strategy, an area favourable with the general population. Furthermore, employees rather than CEOs are identified as having the potential to gain public trust, which helps in the implementation of CSR strategy. Social benefit is becoming just as important as profit.

Kathryn Beiser, global practice chair of Edelman’s corporate practice, says, “No longer can business leaders focus on short-term goals. The new model CEOs are taking action by addressing the issues of our time, and taking a personal interest in the success of society. Stakeholders expect business to have a solid and steady focus on financial returns, but also on actions around key issues such as education, healthcare and the environment.”