Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again emerged as the world’s most trusted democratic leader, according to the latest global survey by Morning Consult. With an approval rating of 75%, PM Modi topped the list of global democratic leaders, far ahead of other prominent names. The survey, conducted between July 4 and July 10, 2025, reflects his continued popularity both within India and on the international stage. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, despite returning to power recently, did not feature among the top five, landing instead at the eighth spot with a significantly lower approval score.
The Morning Consult Global Leader Approval Tracker, compiled by the US-based business intelligence and analytics firm, gathers daily public opinion data from thousands of adults across multiple countries. Its latest data shows that PM Modi’s approval remains unmatched, making him the most consistently popular democratic leader in the world today. Approximately three out of every four respondents expressed a positive view of his leadership. Just 18% disapproved, while 7% remained neutral or undecided.
South Korea’s Lee Jae Myung makes impressive debut
The second position was claimed by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who recently took office in June 2025. Despite being in office for only a month, Lee garnered a 59% approval rating — an impressive feat that puts him ahead of more seasoned global leaders. According to the survey, 29% of respondents disapproved of his leadership, while 13% were unsure. His rapid rise in popularity is seen as a reflection of South Korea’s renewed focus on domestic reforms and international diplomacy.
The survey includes only democratic world leaders and calculates ratings based on a rolling seven-day average of adults’ views within each country. Leaders from countries such as Canada, Australia, the UK, Germany, Brazil, and France are regularly featured on the tracker. PM Modi’s consistent dominance of this list is seen by political observers as a strong indicator of his global appeal and domestic influence, especially following his third consecutive electoral victory in May 2024.
Donald Trump lags behind despite electoral comeback
One of the most notable takeaways from the latest rankings is the position of US President Donald Trump. After returning to the White House in 2024 with a decisive electoral mandate, Donald Trump was expected to perform strongly in global approval surveys. However, the Morning Consult data reveals a less favorable picture. With just 44% of respondents expressing approval of his leadership, Donald Trump finds himself in eighth place — a notable drop from earlier expectations.
Analysts attribute Donald Trump’s lower rating to growing concerns over his trade policies, internal political conflicts, and controversial executive decisions in recent months. Despite having a significant base of loyal supporters within the US, his global image appears to be less enthusiastic. Some believe that his America-first policies and combative international rhetoric may have affected perceptions outside the country.
The Morning Consult tracker, which is widely cited for its comprehensive methodology and global scope, has become a reliable tool to gauge real-time public sentiment about world leaders. Its use of continuous data collection ensures that rankings are responsive to both domestic and international events.
In India, PM Modi’s top ranking has been welcomed with enthusiasm by political allies and supporters. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders took to social media to celebrate his continued leadership status. BJP’s IT Cell head Amit Malviya posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Loved by over a billion Indians and respected by millions across the globe, PM Narendra Modi tops the Morning Consult Global Leader Approval Tracker once again — the highest-rated and most trusted leader worldwide. Strong leadership. Global respect. Bharat is in safe hands.”
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also echoed similar sentiments, posting, “Once again, Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji tops the Morning Consult Global Leader Approval Tracker, emerging as the world’s most trusted and highest-rated leader. Backed by over a billion Indians. Admired across continents. His strong, decisive leadership ensures Bharat’s rise and the world’s respect.”
The report underscores the continuing divide in global leadership approval, with figures like PM Modi and Lee gaining in popularity while others such as Trump face mixed perceptions. As geopolitical dynamics shift and nations grapple with economic challenges, these approval ratings offer an insightful reflection of public trust in leadership across democracies.
