Latin America faces a notable trust deficit when it comes to public institutions. Recent data shows that only 35% of Latin Americans report high or moderately high confidence in their government—significantly lagging behind the 39% figure observed in OECD countries. While the gap appears modest on the surface, it reflects deeper structural challenges in institutional credibility across the region and the Caribbean.

This disparity raises important questions about governance effectiveness and public confidence. When populations lose faith in traditional institutions, it creates space for alternative systems—whether decentralized networks, blockchain-based solutions, or other trust mechanisms that don't rely on conventional authority structures.

The data comes from a comprehensive 2025 survey examining trust drivers in public institutions, offering valuable insights into why institutional confidence varies so widely across different economic regions.