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Only 10.8% of Albanians believe in science, we are among the last countries in the world with Somalia and Togo

2026-11-10 20:25:06Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Only 10.8% of Albanians believe in science, we are among the last countries in
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Albania ranks among the bottom 10 countries in the world for the level of trust in science. Only 10.8% of Albanians aged 15 and over declare that they have a lot of trust in science, ranking the country in 133rd position out of 140 countries included in the Wellcome Global Monitor 2026 study. In comparison with the region, Albania is only behind North Macedonia, where this percentage is 8.2%, while the difference is significant with Montenegro, where 22.7% of citizens express a high level of trust in science. In Serbia, this percentage reaches 19.1%, while in Kosovo it is 18.9%, respectively 8.3 and 8.1 percentage points more than in Albania.

The data is based on an international study by the Wellcome organization, which surveyed over 140,000 people in 140 countries during 2025. The study measures citizens' perception of science and the level of trust they have in it, highlighting large differences between countries, which are not explained solely by the level of education or economic development.

In the global rankings, the countries with the highest levels of trust are found to have percentages more than 10 times higher than those at the bottom of the list. Among the most notable results are Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, which rank third and fourth respectively, leaving behind developed economies such as the United States, the United Kingdom and France.

Education and economic development do not fully explain trust in science

Some of the countries with the highest levels of trust in science are developed economies, with well-established education and research systems. Finland, Germany and Sweden rank among the top 10 countries in the world.

However, Uzbekistan, where 63.8% of citizens say they have a lot of trust in science, and Tajikistan, with 60.7%, rank ahead of many wealthier countries. This suggests that education levels and economic development are not enough to explain differences in citizens' attitudes towards science.

Wellcome researchers found no convincing evidence for a consistent link between trust in science and the population's scientific knowledge. Similarly, at the country level, no clear link was found between this trust, average levels of scientific knowledge and public spending on education.

Another factor analyzed is religious belief, but even here the results vary significantly. Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, two Muslim-majority countries, rank among the countries with the highest trust in science, while Pakistan, also with a Muslim majority, is near the bottom of the rankings, with just 9.3%.

These differences suggest that religious affiliation, taken alone, does not determine the level of trust in science. Cultural context, trust in institutions, and the way communities interpret scientific discoveries also influence citizens' attitudes.

Trust in science has fallen globally since the pandemic

Globally, trust in science has declined over the past five years. According to Wellcome, in 2025, 72% of respondents said they had at least some trust in science, down from 80% in 2020. This represents a decrease of 8 percentage points, and compared to 2018, when the indicator was 77%, the drop is 5 percentage points.

In the same period, the percentage of citizens who declare that they have little or no trust in science has increased from 13% in 2020 to 19% in 2025. A decline has also been observed in high trust in scientists themselves, from 43% in 2020 to 32% in 2025.

Only 10.8% of Albanians believe in science, we are among the last countries in

The study also highlights that trust in science is linked to economic conditions and citizens' experiences with institutions. In 2025, 39% of people who declared that they lived comfortably on their income had a lot of trust in science, compared to only 20% of those who faced financial difficulties.

The difference between these two groups has widened from 13 percentage points in 2018 to 19 percentage points in 2025. Lower levels of trust were also found among citizens with weaker trust in public institutions and higher perceptions of corruption.

The results show that strengthening trust in science is not only related to technological progress or increased investment in research. Economic inclusion, the functioning of institutions and clear communication with the public are also important factors in how citizens value science and its benefits. /ekofin.al


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