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Narendra Modi Tops Global Democratic Leader Approval Rating
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India has achieved another major milestone by again securing the highest global approval rating among democratic leaders, according to Morning Consult’s latest Global Leader Approval Tracker. With 75% of respondents approving of his leadership, Modi surpasses other prominent international figures to maintain his global standing. Only 18% disapprove and 7% remain undecided.
The survey, conducted between July 4 and July 10, 2025, reflects a trailing seven-day average of adult sentiment in countries surveyed—validating Modi’s sustained popularity both domestically and internationally.
The Full Top 10: Who Ranks Where
| Rank | Leader | Country | Approval | No Opinion | Disapproval |
| 1 | Narendra Modi | India | 75% | 7% | 18% |
| 2 | Lee Jae‑myung | South Korea | 59% | 13% | 29% |
| 3 | Javier Milei | Argentina | 57% | 6% | 37% |
| 4 | Mark Carney | Canada | 56% | 13% | 31% |
| 5 | Anthony Albanese | Australia | 54% | 11% | 35% |
| 6 | Claudia Sheinbaum | Mexico | 53% | 7% | 40% |
| 7 | Karin Keller‑Sutter | Switzerland | 48% | 24% | 28% |
| 8 | Donald Trump | USA | 44% | 6% | 50% |
| 9 | Donald Tusk | Poland | ~41% | ~10% | ~49% |
| 10 | Giorgia Meloni | Italy | ~40% | ~6% | ~54% |
Why Modi Stands Alone: Key Drivers Behind the Ratings
Domestic Stability and Global Outreach
Modi’s approval rating benefits from strong domestic support, rooted in economic mandates and assertive foreign policy since his re-election in May 2024. India Today and Visual Capitalist link his enduring popularity to perceptible economic growth and India’s more prominent role on the global stage.
Contrast with U.S. Leadership
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, now ranked eighth, trails far behind, with just 44% approval and a disapproval rate of 50%, indicating significant erosion in global trust. Analysts attribute his decline to controversial domestic and trade policies during his second term.
Rapid Rise of New Leaders
South Korea’s Lee Jae‑myung stands at 59% approval, a notable outcome considering he assumed office just over a month before the survey. His strong debut reflects favorable public sentiment and high expectations.
Similarly, Javier Milei of Argentina, a right‑wing populist, garners 57% approval, drawing significant attention given his polarizing domestic style and bold rhetoric.
Latecomers such as Mark Carney (Canada, 56%) and Australia’s Anthony Albanese (54%) complete the top five—reinforcing that incumbency and continuity still offer credibility at a global scale.
Deeper Trends in Global Political Trust
This survey underscores rising disillusionment with leaders in many Western and developed nations. A Wall Street Journal poll and other analyses expose widespread dissatisfaction among voters in Europe, the U.S., and beyond—highlighting voter fatigue over inflation, immigration, and slow reform efforts.
In some Western democracies, approval ratings have plummeted, making room for populists and reform candidates. Most leaders in industrialized nations are rated below 50% and many in negative territory—contrasting starkly with leaders from developing economies, who tend to see higher ratings amid greater public optimism.
Morning Consult’s methodology—daily polling and rolling averages—captures this dynamic sentiment, offering real-time insight into global trust patterns and ideological shifts.
Political Implications
For India and Modi
Modi’s sustained leadership legitimacy provides political capital both at home and abroad. It reinforces India’s narrative as a rising global power and supports goodwill in critical diplomatic arenas, including trade negotiations with partners like the USA and European Union.
Re-emergence of Populism
Populist leaders such as Milei, and reformist incumbents like Lee Jae‑myung, signal shifting voter priorities: strong rhetoric, economic nationalism, or rapid policy action may drive global approval more than establishment credentials.
Western Leadership Crisis
Leaders from Canada, Switzerland, and Poland fill middle rankings with modest ratings (~40–56%), while figures like Meloni or Tusk reflect public frustration with entrenched governance—fueled by economic stagnation, party infighting, or crisis mismanagement.
Conclusion: What the Ratings Reveal
The July 2025 Morning Consult democratic leader approval survey crystallizes a key geopolitical reality: trust in democratic leadership is increasingly polarized. While populations in some democracies continue to believe in transformative leadership—exemplified by Modi, Lee, or Milei—many others appear disenchanted with traditional political class and status quo governance models.
Narendra Modi’s commanding position at 75% approval underscores India’s narrative of development and leadership continuity. In contrast, Western leaders struggle for global confidence, as evidenced by high disapproval rates and low public trust.
Such ratings have ramifications beyond optics: they influence diplomatic credibility, investment perception, and soft power. For India, international forums and negotiations, this high approval rating offers an invaluable soft-power advantage.
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