Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi currently tops the latest global approval ratings for world leaders, according to the consultancy Morning Consult, boasting a robust 78% approval from citizens. Following him are Argentina's President Javier Milei with 60%, Canada's Mark Carney at 56%, and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with 53%.
Among other notable leaders, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, holds a 50% approval rating. This places him in a mid-high position in the ranking, surpassing European leaders like Italy's Giorgia Meloni (42%) and Spain's Pedro Sánchez (34%). Despite being a polarizing figure, Trump's support underscores the strength of his electoral base and the backing he maintains following his return to the White House.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum is also among the top-rated, with a 52% approval rating, despite facing significant criticism, such as funding the Cuban regime through medical missions. Furthermore, Mexico's issues with violence, drug trafficking control, and weakened institutions contrast sharply with her perceived support in the survey.
Leaders Facing Significant Disapproval
In the category of leaders with the highest disapproval ratings, Petr Fiala from the Czech Republic (77%), France’s Emmanuel Macron (74%), and the UK’s Keir Starmer (63%) stand out, all with disapproval levels far exceeding their support.
In Argentina, Milei's figures seem to be bolstered by a budding economic recovery that is becoming evident in everyday life. According to The Economist, the first months of 2025 have seen a surge in property and vehicle sales, amidst a context of credit revitalization, improved purchasing power, and a renewed climate of social confidence. This might explain the steady support for the libertarian leader, despite his radical policies.
Approval Outside the Democratic Sphere
Beyond Morning Consult's focus on established democracies, other surveys like those by WCIOM and Gallup place El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele and Russia's Vladimir Putin with even higher approval ratings at 91% and 80%, respectively. For Bukele, this approval aligns with achievements in security, like El Salvador's milestone of 900 days without reported homicides, celebrated officially in May. Conversely, Putin's high rating remains contentious amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, internal repression, and media censorship.
Meanwhile, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel is absent from these recent international assessments, largely due to the lack of independent polling and the exclusion of authoritarian regimes from Morning Consult's analysis. However, a 2022 survey by DatoWorld deemed him the most poorly rated president in Latin America, aligning with growing public discontent on the island and the country's deteriorating social and economic conditions.
A year later, Díaz-Canel retained his position as Latin America's least favored president according to DatoWorld, with a mere 14% approval rating. The Cuban leader's unpopularity even surpassed that of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro, who ranked just above Peru's Dina Boluarte and Chile's Gabriel Boric, both at 25%.
These surveys provide a valuable insight into the global political climate and public perceptions of leadership performance. While the results don't always reflect objective conditions of welfare or institutional transparency, they highlight key societal sentiments and trends.
Understanding Global Leadership Approval Ratings
Why is Narendra Modi leading the global approval ratings?
Narendra Modi's leadership has garnered significant public support in India, contributing to his high approval rating. His policies and governance style resonate positively with a large segment of the Indian population.
How does Donald Trump maintain a strong approval rating?
Despite being a divisive figure, Donald Trump's approval rating reflects the unwavering loyalty of his core supporters and his successful return to the presidency, which has reinforced his political standing.
What contributes to Nayib Bukele's high approval in El Salvador?
Nayib Bukele's high approval is largely attributed to his administration's achievements in improving national security, such as significantly reducing homicide rates in El Salvador.