Trust in govts has fallen in many countries: Tharman

[SINGAPORE] The government service faces a challenge of retaining public trust in a more complex social and economic environment, said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam yesterday.

"It is a challenge all over the world. Trust in governments has fallen in many countries in recent years, possibly because of declining economic well-being, a growing sense of polarisation in society and the lack of effective government responses," he said at the dinner and promotion ceremony of the Administrative Service, which comprises civil servants at the core of government who shape, implement and improve crucial national policies.

Mr Tharman cited this year's Edelman Barometer of Trust, which indicated that trust in the government had fallen below 50 per cent in 17 of 27 countries under study. Singapore was among the 10 countries where a majority still trusted the government.