Many people don’t feel safe walking alone at night, and yet, they also don’t have much confidence in their local police department. A report, in the “Global Law and Order 2022” report from U.S. polling company Gallup in the form of the Law and Order Index score, has addressed the many concerns we may have regarding law enforcement.
These law and order index scores are out of 100, with higher scores indicating a greater sense of safety and trust in police. Based on the survey results, seven out of 10 people in 122 countries had confidence in their local police in 2021, a share that has remained mostly unchanged since 2020.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed Gallup’s survey to determine the 50 countries with the most and least trust in police. Listed here are the 25 countries with the most trust in police and the 25 countries with the least trust. We added related data on annual homicide rates; incarceration rates (from the World Prison Brief, a division of the University of London); and government classifications (from the Varieties of Democracy project of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden).
The Gallup Law and Order Index score ranges from 87 out of 100 in five countries, including Canada and South Korea, to 96 in Singapore. These are the 25 countries whose people have the most trust in law enforcement. The average score for these countries is 90. In the 25 countries whose people have the lowest level of confidence in their local police, that average drops to a Law and Order Index score of 60. The world average score is 83 out of 100. (Also see, countries where police have the most firepower.)
Certain factors contribute to people having trust or lack thereof in law enforcement. Countries with the most and least trust in law enforcement have significantly different rates of incarceration and homicides. This suggests that there may not be a strong correlation between trust in police and per capita rates of murder and imprisonment. Though it seems that people living in liberal democracies are more likely to have confidence in local law enforcement, it is not always the case that people living under authoritarianism lack confidence in local police.
Great examples of this are Taiwan and Saudi Arabia. The Middle Eastern autocratic absolute monarchy and the semi-autonomous Asian liberal democracy claimed by the People’s Republic of China, both share the same high Law and Order Index score of 89 despite having radically different types of government. Both countries also share among the highest rates of incarceration: 236 prisoners for every 100,000 people in Taiwan and 207 per 100,000 people in Saudi Arabia.
Fifteen of the 25 countries with the most trust in police have homicide rates below 1 for every 100,000 people, and in all the homicide rate is at or below 2.2 per 100,000 people. By comparison, the U.S. homicide rate is nearly 6.8 per 100,000. Tiny Iceland is among the countries whose people have the highest trust in police, with a population of about 370,000, it has the lowest per capita incarceration rate at 36 inmates per 100,000 people.
In terms of trust in police, the U.S. stands more or less at the world average with a score of 83 out of 100. The U.S., considered a liberal democracy, has one of the world’s highest incarceration rates at 531 prisoners per 100,000 people. (This is each state’s police department that killed the most people.)
The Law and Order Index scores in the 25 countries with the least trust in police, range from 68 in Mozambique to 51 in Afghanistan. Among these countries, Namibia, Peru, and South Africa have the highest incarceration rates — between 250 and 318 inmates for every 100,000 people. Per-capita homicide rates in these countries range from 1.8 for every 100,000 people in Ghana and Malawi to more than 20 per 100,000 people in Nigeria, Colombia, Mexico, and South Africa.
Here are the countries with the most and least trust in police.
See below for our detailed methodology.
25. Czech Republic
- Law and Order Index score: 87/100
- Annual homicide rate: 0.4 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 182 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Liberal democracy
24. Estonia
- Law and Order Index score: 87/100
- Annual homicide rate: 2.0 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 145 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Liberal democracy
23. Malta
- Law and Order Index score: 87/100
- Annual homicide rate: 0.4 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 113 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
22. South Korea
- Law and Order Index score: 87/100
- Annual homicide rate: 0.5 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 103 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Liberal democracy
21. Canada
- Law and Order Index score: 87/100
- Annual homicide rate: 2.1 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 85 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
20. Sweden
- Law and Order Index score: 88/100
- Annual homicide rate: 1.1 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 82 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Liberal democracy
19. Netherlands
- Law and Order Index score: 88/100
- Annual homicide rate: 0.7 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 65 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Liberal democracy
18. Saudi Arabia
- Law and Order Index score: 89/100
- Annual homicide rate: 0.8 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 207 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Closed autocracy
17. Kosovo
- Law and Order Index score: 89/100
- Annual homicide rate: 2.2 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 93 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
16. Jordan
- Law and Order Index score: 89/100
- Annual homicide rate: 1.0 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 185 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Closed autocracy
15. Spain
- Law and Order Index score: 89/100
- Annual homicide rate: 0.6 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 113 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Liberal democracy
14. Taiwan
- Law and Order Index score: 89/100
- Annual homicide rate: N/A
- Incarceration rate: 236 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Liberal democracy
13. Uzbekistan
- Law and Order Index score: 89/100
- Annual homicide rate: 1.4 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 85 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Closed autocracy
12. Slovenia
- Law and Order Index score: 90/100
- Annual homicide rate: 0.4 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 72 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
11. Denmark
- Law and Order Index score: 90/100
- Annual homicide rate: 0.8 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 69 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Liberal democracy
10. Portugal
- Law and Order Index score: 91/100
- Annual homicide rate: 0.8 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 121 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
9. Iceland
- Law and Order Index score: 91/100
- Annual homicide rate: 0.5 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 36 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Liberal democracy
8. Finland
- Law and Order Index score: 91/100
- Annual homicide rate: 1.6 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 51 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Liberal democracy
7. United Arab Emirates
- Law and Order Index score: 92/100
- Annual homicide rate: 0.5 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 104 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Closed autocracy
6. Egypt
- Law and Order Index score: 92/100
- Annual homicide rate: 1.3 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 116 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral autocracy
5. Indonesia
- Law and Order Index score: 92/100
- Annual homicide rate: N/A
- Incarceration rate: 99 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
4. Switzerland
- Law and Order Index score: 92/100
- Annual homicide rate: 0.5 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 73 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Liberal democracy
3. Norway
- Law and Order Index score: 93/100
- Annual homicide rate: 0.5 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 54 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Liberal democracy
2. Tajikistan
- Law and Order Index score: 95/100
- Annual homicide rate: 0.9 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 141 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral autocracy
1. Singapore
- Law and Order Index score: 96/100
- Annual homicide rate: 0.1 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 156 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral autocracy
Least:
25. Chile
- Law and Order Index score: 69/100
- Annual homicide rate: 3.6 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 267 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Liberal democracy
24. Mozambique
- Law and Order Index score: 68/100
- Annual homicide rate: 3.6 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 62 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral autocracy
23. Argentina
- Law and Order Index score: 68/100
- Annual homicide rate: 4.6 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 249 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
22. Ghana
- Law and Order Index score: 68/100
- Annual homicide rate: 1.8 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 47 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
21. Peru
- Law and Order Index score: 66/100
- Annual homicide rate: 5.7 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 265 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
20. Colombia
- Law and Order Index score: 66/100
- Annual homicide rate: 27.5 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 198 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
19. Namibia
- Law and Order Index score: 65/100
- Annual homicide rate: 12.4 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 318 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
18. Ecuador
- Law and Order Index score: 65/100
- Annual homicide rate: 14.0 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 170 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
17. Guinea
- Law and Order Index score: 65/100
- Annual homicide rate: N/A
- Incarceration rate: 34 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Closed autocracy
16. Nigeria
- Law and Order Index score: 64/100
- Annual homicide rate: 21.7 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 36 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral autocracy
15. Malawi
- Law and Order Index score: 64/100
- Annual homicide rate: 1.8 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 76 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
14. Dominican Republic
- Law and Order Index score: 64/100
- Annual homicide rate: 10.5 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 222 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
13. Mexico
- Law and Order Index score: 64/100
- Annual homicide rate: 28.2 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 175 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
12. Bolivia
- Law and Order Index score: 64/100
- Annual homicide rate: 3.5 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 207 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
11. Kenya
- Law and Order Index score: 63/100
- Annual homicide rate: 5.3 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 107 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
10. Mali
- Law and Order Index score: 63/100
- Annual homicide rate: N/A
- Incarceration rate: 40 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Closed autocracy
9. Cameroon
- Law and Order Index score: 62/100
- Annual homicide rate: 4.5 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 116 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral autocracy
8. South Africa
- Law and Order Index score: 61/100
- Annual homicide rate: 41.9 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 250 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
7. Uganda
- Law and Order Index score: 60/100
- Annual homicide rate: 8.5 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 151 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral autocracy
6. Zambia
- Law and Order Index score: 59/100
- Annual homicide rate: 5.2 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 118 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
5. Sierra Leone
- Law and Order Index score: 59/100
- Annual homicide rate: 2.1 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 57 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral democracy
4. Republic of the Congo
- Law and Order Index score: 58/100
- Annual homicide rate: N/A
- Incarceration rate: 27 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral autocracy
3. Venezuela
- Law and Order Index score: 55/100
- Annual homicide rate: 19.3 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 199 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral autocracy
2. Gabon
- Law and Order Index score: 54/100
- Annual homicide rate: N/A
- Incarceration rate: 228 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Electoral autocracy
1. Afghanistan
- Law and Order Index score: 51/100
- Annual homicide rate: 4.0 per 100,000 people
- Incarceration rate: 36 prisoners per 100,000 residents
- Government classification: Closed autocracy
Methodology
To determine the countries with the most and least trust in police, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on public perceptions of police and safety from Gallup’s Global Law and Order 2022 report. Countries were ranked based on the 2022 Law and Order Index, an indexed composite of the “positive” responses to the four questions:
- In the city or area where you live, do you have confidence in the local police force?
- Do you feel safe walking alone at night in the city or area where you live?
- Within the last 12 months, have you had money or property stolen from you or another household member?
- Within the past 12 months, have you been assaulted or mugged?
The index scores are out of 100, with higher index scores indicating greater sense of safety and trust in police.
Supplemental data on the number of intentional homicides reported per 100,000 residents per year are from the World Bank and are for 2021 or the latest year available. Data on incarceration rate by country are from the World Prison Brief, a division of the Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research of the University of London. Government classifications are from the Varieties of Democracy project of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. Data on population came from the World Bank and is for 2021.
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