More Trusting Societies Have Been More Successful at Reducing Coronavirus Cases and Deaths

Researchers found there is a “threshold effect” in nations where at least 40 per cent of people agree “most people can be trusted”. This supported effective reduction of cases and deaths during 2020.

Previous studies show levels of trust in the UK are at the critical 40 per cent compared to more than 60 per cent in Scandinavian countries. China also has high levels of trust within society.

Analyzing coronavirus data during 2020 the researchers found more trusting societies tended to achieve a faster decline in infections and deaths from peak levels.

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