How the World Rates the United Nations
Gallup has released How the World Rates the United Nations, a global study of how people view the UN at a pivotal moment for the organization. Drawing on Gallup World Poll surveys across 137 countries, the report examines where the UN earns approval, where it faces resistance and where views remain unformed — as the multilateral system strains amid wars and geopolitical division and the organization prepares to name a new Secretary-General.
Goodwill Endures, Consensus Elusive
How the World Rates the United Nations is Gallup’s first global assessment of UN job approval. As wars, humanitarian crises and deep geopolitical divisions strain the multilateral system, the report finds that views of the organization are more positive than negative overall — even as public opinion remains far from a global consensus. A median of 50% across 137 countries approve of the UN’s job performance while a median of 26% disapprove, giving the organization a net approval score of +24. That global figure, however, masks sharp divides: The UN enjoys broad support in many countries, faces entrenched resistance in others and remains less visible to some.
This report draws on Gallup World Poll surveys of adults in 137 countries conducted between March and December 2025.
What the World Is Saying
- Median approval of the UN’s job performance is 50%, versus 26% who disapprove — a net approval score of +24.
- Majorities approve of the UN in 67 of the 137 countries surveyed, and approval exceeds disapproval by at least 10 points in 92 countries.
- Net approval is strongest in Southeast Asia (+51) and sub-Saharan Africa (+43); the Middle East and North Africa is the only region where disapproval leads, at -23.
- Among 2026 Security Council members, approval ranges from 79% in Denmark to 15% in Russia.
Views are far from settled in some places: 41% in South Korea say their opinion depends on the circumstances, 35% in Lesotho are unaware of the UN, and 45% in Bahrain don’t know or refuse to offer an opinion.
Sample & Methodology
Nationally representative surveys of adults aged 15+ across 137 countries (March–December 2025). Margins of sampling error range from ±2.2 to ±5.5 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
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