Ireland was a participant country in the 2025 round of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) ‘Trust Survey’. This was the third round of the Trust survey with the previous rounds taking place in 2021 and 2023. The Trust Survey monitors people’s self-reported interpersonal trust and trust in different institutions and levels of government across OECD countries.
The sample consisted of 6,000 people. The sample was selected from an opt-in online panel using sample matching to a simulated probability sample. The simulated probability based, simple random sample, n=6000, was selected from the CSO’s Census population-based register. This was then matched to a non-probability-based sample, using a Gower’s Distance function. Individuals were matched based on sex, age group, education group, household size and principal economic status.
An online questionnaire was conducted by the CSO from 29 September to the 15 November 2025. Individuals selected received an email from the CSO and were asked to complete the questionnaire online. A response rate of 37% with 2,197 valid returns.
The survey design weights were adjusted for non-response and calibrated according to sex, age and region, using Quarter 3 2025 population estimates as benchmarks. Population totals were split by sex (male / female), age categories (aged 18-29 years, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80+) and NUTS2 region (Northern and Western, Southern, and Eastern and Midlands), to calibrate non-response adjusted design weights. A gaussian noise function was added to each weight value.
Respondents were asked questions on trust levels in various groups and institutions as well as what factors influence their levels of trust. Respondents were also asked to rate their satisfaction levels with specific public services, their expectations related to behaviours of different groups (for example, of public sector employees, politicians, and public institutions), to evaluate government priorities and about their concerns impacting Ireland. The questionnaire closely followed the OECD’s recommended survey questions. Questions of national interest were also included on voting and participation.
Some key analysis variables within this publication are:
This classification is derived from a single question and refers to educational standards that have been attained by the respondent.
The question is phrased as follows:
What is the highest level of education or training you have ever successfully completed?
For the purposes of this publication highest level of education attained has been classified as follows:
Regional analysis is presented in this publication are based on the NUTS2 (Nomenclature of Territorial Units) classification used by Eurostat. The regions are categorised as follows:
| Northern and Western NUTS2 Reagion | Southern NUTS2 Region | Eastern and Midland NUTS2 Region | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Border | Cavan Donegal Leitrim Monaghan Sligo |
Mid-West | Clare Limerick Tipperary |
Dublin | Dublin City Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Fingal South Dublin |
| West | Galway Mayo Roscommon |
South-East | Carlow Kilkenny Waterford Wexford |
Mid-East | Kildare Louth Meath Wicklow |
| South-West | Cork Kerry | Midland | Laois Longford Offaly Westmeath |
||
Respondents were asked if the party they voted for in the last general election (or would have voted for if they didn't vote) is currently part of the government. For the purpose of this survey, respondents who voted in the last general election are classified as:
Respondent were asked which of the following categories best describes your current situation?
Answer options were:
The results from this variable were combined to create a classification of work situation as follows:
Results were also broken down by gender and age groups in accordance with the OECD groupings.
Respondents were asked would they describe themselves as being a member of a group that is discriminated against in Ireland. Answer options were:
Data in PxStat has been rounded to 1 decimal place. The sum of row or column percentages in the tables/figures in this report may not add up to 100 due to rounding.
The Central Statistics Office wishes to thank the participants for their co-operation in agreeing to take part in the Trust Survey and for facilitating the collection of the relevant data.
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