The latest global approval rating survey by Morning Consult reveals a dramatic contrast in political fortunes across the world’s leading democracies. As of April 2026, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains the world’s most popular leader, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has plummeted to the bottom of the rankings.
The survey, which tracks a seven-day moving average across 24 nations, highlights a growing disconnect between European electorates and their current administrations.
The Global Popularity Leaderboard
While many Western leaders are struggling with domestic discontent, a few heads of state continue to enjoy high levels of public trust:
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Narendra Modi (India): Continues his long-running streak at #1 with a 70% approval rating.
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Lee Jae-myung (South Korea): Secures the #2 spot with 63%, reflecting strong domestic support for his administration.
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Andrej Babiš (Czechia): Ranks #3 with 55% satisfaction among respondents.
European Leaders Under Fire
The most significant shifts in the 2026 data involve European heads of state, who are facing a historic surge in unpopularity.
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Friedrich Merz (Germany): Now the least popular leader in the survey. Approximately 76% of respondents are dissatisfied with his performance. Since taking office last year, his promised “autumn of reforms” has failed to materialize, and his approval is now lower than that of his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, even at Scholz’s lowest point.
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Emmanuel Macron (France): Ranks as the second-most unpopular, with 75% of the French public expressing dissatisfaction.
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Donald Trump (USA): Currently sits near the bottom (10th from the last), holding a 38% approval rating as his administration navigates the fallout of the conflict with Iran.
Domestic Consequences in Germany
The fallout for Chancellor Merz isn’t just personal; it is threatening the stability of the ruling coalition. Data indicates a “crisis of confidence” that could reshape the German political landscape:
| Key Metric | Status |
| Coalition Standing | Both CDU/CSU and SPD would fail to secure a majority if elections were held today. |
| Individual Trust | Merz (21%) and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil (18%) have both hit career-low approval levels. |
| Public Dissatisfaction | A Forsa survey suggests up to 84% of Germans are unhappy with the current government’s direction. |
