Americans are more likely to view corruption as widespread in government than in business, with the gap reaching a record 18 percentage points in 2026, according to a report.
Government corruption was cited by 89% of U.S. adults, compared with 71% who said corruption is widespread in businesses, a report published by Gallup on Wednesday noted. The government figure rose 10 percentage points from last year, while the business figure increased 8 points, it said.
Government Corruption Outpaces Business
The 18-point gap is the largest between perceived government and business corruption in Gallup’s U.S. trend.
Between 2006 and 2025, Americans’ perception of government corruption averaged 11 points higher than their perception of business corruption.
Gallup said perceptions of corruption in government and business are typically closely related. If people believe corruption is widespread in their government, they are also likely to believe it is widespread in businesses.
But the U.S. is increasingly moving away from that pattern.
Business Corruption Also Rises
Americans’ perception of corruption in businesses increased to 71% this year, up from 63% in 2025.
Gallup did not provide specific reasons for the increase or identify particular industries or types of business corruption behind the figure.
Recent developments have also brought government-business relationships and corporate transparency into focus.
In August, Sen Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) accused Belgium’s diamond industry of seeking favorable treatment from the Trump administration after a $1 million diamond-encrusted ring was given to President Donald Trump and European diamonds later received a tariff exemption. Warren called the sequence “cartoonish corruption.”
Last month, the Treasury Department finalized a rule exempting U.S. companies and individuals from certain beneficial-ownership reporting requirements. The move drew criticism from Warren, who said weaker disclosure requirements could make it easier for criminals and others to use shell companies.
Concern Spans Political Parties
The concern over government corruption cuts across party lines, with majorities of Democrats, independents and Republicans saying corruption is widespread. The partisan gap has also narrowed in recent years. Democrats registered the highest level at 91%, up from 57% in 2024. It was followed closely by independents at 90% and Republicans at 83%.
The U.S. figure also remains well above the 2025 OECD median of 59%, when 79% of Americans perceived government corruption as widespread. Gallup noted that comparable 2026 data for all OECD countries is not yet available.
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