Global Leadership Approval Center
What the balance of power looks like through the world's eyes
In the Information Age, power isn't only determined by whose army wins, but also by whose story wins. Soft power -- the ability to affect others to get what you want without paying them or using force -- depends on people's perceptions.
Since 2005, Gallup has been tracking the entire world's perceptions of the job performance of the leadership of some of the biggest players on the global stage -- the U.S., Germany, China and Russia.
Each year, Gallup releases the Rating World Leaders report, which details the rise -- or fall -- in the job approval ratings of the world's leading powers in more than 130 countries and areas, where the biggest gains and losses came from and how each country stacks up in different parts of the globe.
Where Is the U.S. Winning and Losing?
Discover the countries where the image of the U.S. is losing or gaining public favor year over year. Each year, Gallup measures approval ratings of leadership in more than 130 countries and areas.
Watch the shifts in the world order.
Each year, Gallup releases the Rating World Leaders report, a snapshot of where the world order stands -- from the people's perspective. Download this year's report or examine previous reports.
Rating World Leaders: 2020 Report
The U.S. started 2020 in relatively weak position with approval ratings in the low 30s. Get the latest approval ratings for the leadership of the U.S., Germany, China and Russia based on surveys in more than 130 countries and areas.
Rating World Leaders: 2019 Report
At the halfway mark of Donald Trump's presidency, the image of U.S. leadership was in poor shape, but its approval rating was no longer in free fall. China overtook the U.S. in approval, while the U.S. and Russia were essentially tied.
Rating World Leaders: 2018 Report
Germany replaced the U.S. as the top-rated global power in the world in 2017, as approval of U.S. leadership hit an all-time low. Find out where and how.
Rating World Leaders: 2016 Report
Download this report to learn how the world viewed U.S. leadership as then-President Barack Obama prepared to leave office, and how it compared with views of Germany, China and Russia.
