A Gallup survey released Sunday reveals that a majority of Americans hold negative views of the United Nations' performance across its five primary objectives, with the most significant criticism directed at its efforts to maintain global peace and security.
According to the poll, 73% of respondents disapprove of the UN's work in upholding international peace and security, while only 25% approve. Similarly, 70% rate the organization poorly on both upholding international law and protecting human rights, with 28% expressing approval on each.
On sustainable development, 63% say the UN has done a poor job, compared with 34% who give it positive marks. The UN's delivery of humanitarian assistance—such as food, shelter, and medical care to those affected by war, famine, or natural disasters—is viewed unfavorably by 53% of Americans, while 45% rate it positively.
These ratings align with Americans' overall assessment of the UN's job performance, with about six in ten saying it handles world problems poorly, according to Gallup. The last time a majority of Americans approved of the UN's work was shortly after the 9/11 attacks, a period noted by pollsters.
Despite the poor performance ratings, Americans still view the UN as an institution favorably, but opinions vary sharply by party affiliation. Democrats are the most positive, with 55% approving of the UN's humanitarian aid efforts, followed by 43% of independents and 36% of Republicans. Similar partisan gaps appear on other goals: 44% of Democrats, 32% of independents, and 27% of Republicans back the UN's sustainable development work; 33% of Democrats, 25% of independents, and 27% of Republicans support its human rights record; and 35% of Democrats, 26% of independents, and 25% of Republicans approve of its handling of international law.
The lowest approval across all party groups is for the UN's peace and security role, with 32% of Democrats, 23% of independents, and 19% of Republicans giving it a thumbs-up.
Gallup's analysis notes that Americans have supported the UN as an institution but have been dissatisfied with its effectiveness for most of the past two decades. The poll's release coincides with the annual UN General Assembly, where leaders face ongoing crises such as the Russia-Ukraine war, Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza, and tensions with Iran.
Interestingly, American views diverge from global sentiment. A separate Gallup poll found that majorities in 67 countries approve of the UN's performance, with only nine countries expressing disapproval. This gap underscores a uniquely American skepticism toward the international body, a trend that has been consistent in recent years.
The survey, conducted September 1-14 among 2,024 U.S. adults, has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. For context, Americans' distrust of institutions extends beyond the UN, as a record 89% see widespread government corruption, according to Gallup. Additionally, views on global threats and security have shifted, as U.S. embassies have issued warnings about Iran-related threats, and nearly half of Americans still consider 9/11 a defining event.
