As global politics navigates a period of economic strain, wars, and shifting alliances, public approval ratings continue to offer a snapshot of how citizens judge their leaders’ performance. These rankings reflect not just popularity but confidence in leadership during uncertain times.
With 2025 nearing its end, the latest Morning Consult approval ratings, based on surveys conducted between December 8 and 14, reveal how major world leaders are perceived as they head into 2026. The data points to notable changes in the global approval landscape, including new entrants at the top and declining support for several Western leaders.
Global Leaders’ Approval Ratings as 2026 Approaches#PMModi #GiorgiaMeloni #DonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/SyMwGJOZpY
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Shifts At The Top Of Global Leadership Rankings
The December ratings show a reshuffle among the world’s most approved leaders. Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi climbed to second place, while South Korean President Lee Jae-myung secured the third position. Their rise pushed Argentine President Javier Milei and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter down the list, now ranked fourth and eighth, respectively.
In contrast, European leaders continue to struggle with public sentiment. French President Emmanuel Macron ranked last among the leaders surveyed, recording the lowest approval ratings, with disapproval nearing 80 per cent.
Other prominent European figures, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and several Nordic leaders, also reported approval ratings hovering around 30 per cent or lower, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction across the region.
PM Modi Retains Top Global Position
Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to lead the global rankings, remaining the world’s most popular political leader. He posted a 71 per cent approval rating, maintaining a significant lead over other leaders, despite a slight decline from 75 per cent in January.
Where Donald Trump Stands
Re-elected US President Donald Trump saw a noticeable drop over the year. He slipped from fifth place in January to ninth position in December, with his approval and disapproval ratings now nearly evenly divided.
Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni fell just outside the top tier, dropping out of the top 10 to rank 11th, with an approval rating of 41 per cent.
Top 10 world leaders by approval rating — December 2025
According to Morning Consult’s December survey, these are the top 10 global political leaders with the highest approval ratings, based on data collected from December 8–14, 2025. The rankings highlight how leadership perception continues to evolve amid ongoing geopolitical and economic challenges worldwide.
