Have you ever heard of high trust society? Why in some countries everything seems to work better

In recent years, people have been talking more and more about the concept of a high-trust society, but what does it actually mean? In some contexts, trust almost seems taken for granted: rules are followed without the need for constant supervision, institutions are not perceived as enemies to outsmart, and even among strangers there is a basic level of mutual reliability. In others, however, the atmosphere is completely different: every interaction passes through a layer of distrust, every rule seems designed to be bypassed, and every relationship requires verification. The academic community defines this difference as a high trust society. But beyond definitions, the point is very concrete: when trust is widespread, everything functions with less friction.

Countries with high levels of trust today

Countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland are often cited as examples. Not because they are perfect, but because over time they have built a balance in which trust has become part of everyday life. In Denmark, for example, a large majority of the population says they trust other people, and this is reflected in both social behavior and institutions. When trust is high, many things change without us even noticing. The state can afford to be less obsessive about controls, because people, in most cases, follow the rules. Economic relationships become simpler and social interactions lighter. It is as if a huge part of collective energy, instead of being spent trying to prevent conflict, is freed up to build something else.

The perception of fairness

This does not happen by chance, because one of the most important factors is the perception of fairness. Where people feel that the system is, overall, fair, they are more willing to trust it. In Nordic countries, for example, this balance has also been built through extensive welfare systems, efficient public services, and relatively low levels of inequality. This does not mean these societies are perfectly equal, but rather that the distance between people is not perceived as an irreparable divide.

The Italian case

When this balance breaks down, trust tends to decline. It is reductive to think of trust as merely a cultural issue, something unchangeable over time. Trust is built, but it can also be lost. It depends on the quality of institutions, the consistency of rules, and the everyday experiences people have while living within a system. Italy is not usually considered a high-trust society, as it often ranks below average in terms of confidence in institutions. Although interpersonal trust varies, the country appears to show greater confidence in three key areas: businesses, law enforcement, and the President of the Republic. More broadly, Italy is among the European countries with the highest levels of trust toward the private sector and, according to Istat, showed signs of stability in overall trust levels in 2025, attempting to regain ground among European economies.

Mala tempora currunt

In recent years, this topic has become increasingly central in public debate because it touches on very concrete issues: the difficulty of cooperation, distrust toward politics, and the feeling that rules do not apply equally to everyone. In the end, the difference between a society that works and one that struggles lies not only in laws or economic resources, but in the level of trust it manages to generate among people. And right now, historically speaking, times are not exactly the best for anyone.