China Edges Past U.S. in Global Approval Ratings

Key Points:

• In 2025, China surpassed the U.S. in global leadership approval ratings with a median approval of 36%, compared to 31% for the U.S., marking the widest lead for China in nearly 20 years according to Gallup surveys in over 130 countries.
• The decline in U.S. approval—from 39% in 2024 to 31% in 2025—was accompanied by a record-high disapproval rate of 48%, particularly among U.S. allies such as Germany, Portugal, Canada, the U.K., and Italy, while China’s approval rose modestly and its disapproval remained steady at 37%.
• Germany holds the highest approval among the four major powers at 48%, followed by China (36%), the U.S. (31%), and Russia (26%), with none achieving majority global approval; both the U.S. and China registered negative net approval ratings worldwide in 2025, with the U.S. at its lowest on record (-15).
• Public opinion reveals a fragmented global landscape: 45% of countries disapprove of both the U.S. and China, only 29% approve of both, and most countries show weak or no strong alignment with either power, reflecting a shift toward a more multipolar world order.
• These trends suggest increased political sensitivity for U.S. allies in balancing relations among major powers and indicate a more unpredictable environment for policymakers, businesses, and investors due to evolving global public sentiment.