Vast majority of young adults distrust government, research shows

By Amelia Davidson | 10/10/2024 01:36 PM EDT

The Partnership for Public Service’s survey found that broad distrust in government among young people transcends party lines.

A runner jogs past the U.S. Capitol.

A runner jogs past the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Oct. 30, 2023. Francis Chung/POLITICO

New data shows that young adults’ widespread distrust for government might be based in beliefs that the government is not transparent nor working in young people’s interests.

The nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service found earlier this year that just 15 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds trust the government. In a study released Thursday, researchers homed in on the factors driving that mistrust. Their 1,000-person survey revealed that just 29 percent of young adults believe that the federal government is transparent and 32 percent believe that the government works in the best interests of people their age.

Young adults cited corruption, money and special interests in politics, and lack of accountability as top factors contributing to mistrust in government.

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“Unfortunately we weren’t surprised to hear that really negative feedback, especially when we speak about the government overall,” said Nadzeya Shutava, the lead researcher on the study.

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