Thursday, May 02, 2019

The Trust Gap by Educational Attainment

Most Americans do not trust others, according to the General Social Survey. Only 32 percent of the public agrees that most people can be trusted, while more than twice as many (64 percent) believe you can't be too careful in life. But some are more trusting than others, and no one is more trusting than a college graduate.

Americans with a bachelor's degree or more education are the only demographic segment in which the majority believes most people can be trusted—55 percent feel this way. In contrast, only 21 percent of their less-educated counterparts believe most people can be trusted. While 74 percent of those without a bachelor's degree think you can't be too careful in life, only 41 percent of those with a college degree agree.

Most people can be trusted (percent agreeing)
Not a college graduate: 21%
Bachelor's degree or more: 55%

You can't be too careful in life (percent agreeing)
Not a college graduate: 74%
Bachelor's degree or more: 41%

Note: Figures do not sum to 100 percent because some people said "it depends."

Source: Demo Memo analysis of the 2018 General Social Survey

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