This chapter introduces the OECD Trust Survey, focusing on its implementation in Slovenia in 2023.The chapter outlines the survey's methodology, including sample size and data collection methods. It also discusses the unique aspects of the Slovenian survey, namely additional questions on government communication. It concludes by presenting an overview of the OECD Framework on Drivers of Trust in Public Institutions, which forms the basis for the survey questions.
Lessons from the 2023 OECD Trust Survey in Slovenia
Abstract
Trust is a foundation of sound public governance. It can strengthen political participation, nurture social cohesion, enhance compliance with public policies, and reduce transaction costs. It is vital for strategic planning, particularly when seeking public support for long-term reforms (OECD, 2022[1]; Brezzi et al., 2021[2]). The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath underscored the importance of public trust during complex situations with uncertain outcomes, which are likely to occur more frequently as climate risks rise across the world (Bollyky et al., 2022[3]). In this context, OECD countries, including Slovenia, are increasingly recognising the importance of monitoring public trust, to better identify pathways to reinforce democracy.
Trust is not only instrumental for effective public governance but is also intrinsic to democratic governance. The delicate relationship between trust and representative democracy stems from the nature of democracy itself, which involve citizens delegating some of their autonomy to others. A high level of political trust is therefore conducive to legitimacy, stability, and effective governance in a democracy. At the same time, high trust in public institutions is of course not a necessary outcome of democratic governance. People in democratic systems are free and encouraged to express scepticism and scrutinise their government, contributing to the resilience of these systems through open public debates and accountability. Lower trust in institutions can therefore signal higher citizen expectations rather than rejection of democratic values.
Monitoring levels of trust in public institutions can also serve as a measure of public perception towards governance processes and outcomes. It captures people’s expectations toward their public institutions and the extent to which public institutions meet these expectations (Brezzi et al., 2021[2]). Trust levels are therefore dynamic: over the years, trust in government has exhibited variations across OECD countries, shaped by a multitude of individual, political, and societal dynamics.
This study presents key findings from the 2023 OECD Survey on Drivers of Trust in Public Institutions (Trust Survey) for Slovenia, offering comparative insights into public trust and the factors which drive it. The original quantitative data for this report comes from the second wave of the OECD Trust Survey, conducted in 30 OECD countries, including Slovenia, in October and November 2023 (see Box 1.1). The survey assesses trust in various public institutions and media and uses situational questions to evaluate perceptions of the competencies and values of government and public institutions and other key elements of the OECD Framework on Drivers of Trust in Public Institutions (see Table 1.3). The evidence from the survey is complemented by findings from background research, including a qualitative questionnaire filled out by a central and ministry communication offices (see Chapter 5). A workshop in September 2024 in addition discussed the findings from the project with the aim of identifying actionable steps (see Annex C).
At the request of the Slovenian authorities, this report also examines the relationship between public trust, the perception of evidence use in policymaking, and the communication of government actions and policy reform. This analysis is based on additional questions included in the Slovenian version of the OECD Trust Survey questionnaire (see Box 1.1). What sets the OECD Trust Survey apart from other surveys which provide a snapshot of trust levels in different institutions, such as the World Values Survey, Gallup World Poll, and Eurobarometer, is its comprehensive approach to surveying and analysing the factors that drive trust in public institutions. Beyond measuring trust levels, the survey aims to understand what influences trust in various country contexts. The OECD Trust Survey provides insights, allowing benchmarking of trust levels in Slovenia's public institutions against other OECD countries. It also identifies the areas of public governance which Slovenia excels in, as well as areas needing improvement due to negative public perceptions. An econometric analysis helps understand the relationship between these perceptions and trust levels, orienting government actions to enhance democratic governance and promote trust.
The report shows that trust in Slovenian public institutions is generally below the OECD average, though the pattern of higher levels of trust in law-and-order institutions and lower levels of trust in political institutions, such as the national government and parliament, is as present in Slovenia as across the OECD (see Chapter 2). Slovenians generally have more positive perceptions of their day-to-day interactions with public institutions, in particular as regards the provision of certain essential services, than they do regarding decision making on complex policy issues (see Chapter 3). Drivers related to day-to-day interactions between institutions and the public, for instance satisfaction with administrative services, significantly influence trust in the local government and civil service. Conversely, drivers related to complex decision-making on society-wide issues, such as evidence-informed decision-making and positive perceptions of intergenerational fairness, are key drivers of trust in the national government and to a lesser degree the civil service in Slovenia (see Chapter 4). Finally, the information environment and public communication by government entities can shape how individuals perceive public institutions and affect trust levels (see Chapter 5).
The 2023 OECD Trust Survey was conducted in 30 OECD countries. This followed the initial 2021 wave, which included 22 OECD countries, which Slovenia did not participate in. In addition to questions about the level of trust in public institutions and media and perceptions of the competencies and values of public institutions, the survey also assesses people's sense of political agency, partisanship, and socio-economic and demographic characteristics, as well as their evaluation of the government's ability to address global and intergenerational challenges (Brezzi et al., 2021[2]).
The OECD Trust Survey was fielded in Slovenia between the 26th of October and the 28th of November and achieved a final sample of 2 019 responses. The Slovenian survey followed the same data collection methodology as in most of the other surveyed countries (See Annex A), using an online survey, and an online panel-based non-probability sample ensuring representative survey data by age, education, gender, and region. In addition, income was implemented as a soft quota, serving as a less restrictive guideline (Table 1.1).
The survey questionnaire administered in Slovenia was based on the baseline 2023 OECD Trust Survey questionnaire, designed by the OECD Secretariat, with input and guidance from the OECD Trust Survey Advisory Group (see Annex B). A restricted number of questions were modified or removed, and new topics were introduced. Besides the main questionnaire administered to all countries, two additional questions specific to Slovenia were included (Table 1.2). These questions focused on individuals' main sources of information about government actions and how often they encounter or actively seek this information.
Note: The table shows the survey quotas and groups implemented in the OECD Trust Survey in Slovenia.
Source: OECD Trust Survey 2023.
Note: The table shows the additional survey questions implemented in the Slovenian Survey questionnaire.
Source: OECD Trust Survey 2023.
References
[3] Bollyky, T. et al. (2022), “Trust made the difference for democracies in COVID-19”, The Lancet, Vol. 400/10353, p. 657, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01532-X.
[2] Brezzi, M. et al. (2021), “An updated OECD framework on drivers of trust in public institutions to meet current and future challenges”, OECD Working Papers on Public Governance, No. 48, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/b6c5478c-en.
[4] OECD (2024), OECD Survey on Drivers of Trust in Public Institutions – 2024 Results: Building Trust in a Complex Policy Environment, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9a20554b-en.
[1] OECD (2022), Building Trust and Reinforcing Democracy: Preparing the Ground for Government Action, OECD Public Governance Reviews, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/76972a4a-en.
← 1. In countries with a regional level of administration, trust in regional government and civil service were also measured.