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Trust in Scientists: A Global And Cypriot Perspective On Public Confidence

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 22, 2025

A recent global study, covering 68 countries including Cyprus and Greece, sheds light on the high levels of public trust in scientists and the widespread desire for their increased involvement in shaping societal and policy decisions. Published in Nature Human Behaviors, the research surveyed 71,922 individuals, offering the most detailed snapshot of global trust in scientists since the COVID-19 pandemic. The average global trust rating was 3.62 out of 5, reflecting a generally positive perception of scientists, though regional differences exist:

Countries With the Highest Trust

Egypt tops the list with a score of 4.30, followed by India, Nigeria, Kenya, and Australia.

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Countries With the Lowest Trust

At the bottom, Albania ranked lowest with a score of 3.05, closely followed by Ethiopia, Russia, Bolivia, and Kazakhstan.

Greece And Cyprus

Greece ranks 56th with a trust rating of 3.39, just below the global average, while Cyprus follows closely with a slightly higher score of 3.42, placing 52nd in the global rankings.

The findings suggest that a significant portion of the public views scientists as competent (78%), honest (57%), and concerned about the welfare of society (56%). Furthermore, the study reveals that 75% of respondents agree that scientific methods are the most reliable means of discovering truth. More than half of the participants (52%) also believe that scientists should have a more direct role in policymaking.

Key Areas For Scientific Research Focus

The survey indicates that the public wants scientific efforts to concentrate on:

Enhancing public health
Addressing energy challenges
Alleviating poverty

On the other hand, there is a clear reluctance to prioritize military and defense technology, with many participants feeling that current research in these areas is overemphasized.

While trust in scientists remains strong, only 42% of respondents believe scientists actively consider public opinions. Additionally, 83% of participants called for improved communication between the scientific community and the public, as many feel that scientific priorities don’t always reflect societal needs.

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EU Farm Output Prices Decline For The First Time In Nine Months

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 12, 2026

EU Market Adjustments Signal New Price Trends

Agricultural output prices across the European Union declined in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a shift after several quarters of increases. Data from Eurostat shows that farm gate prices fell by 1.9% compared with the same period in 2024.

Crisis of Declining Prices In Select Markets

Cyprus recorded one of the more notable decreases in agricultural input costs among EU member states, with prices falling by 2.6% compared with Q4 2024. The reduction eased cost pressures for the local agricultural sector following periods of higher prices earlier in 2025. Across the EU, prices for goods and services consumed in agriculture remained relatively stable. Non-investment inputs such as energy, fertilisers and feedingstuffs showed limited overall changes during the quarter.

Country-Specific Divergence In Price Movements

Eurostat data highlights considerable variation across member states. Fifteen EU countries recorded declines in agricultural output prices. Belgium registered the largest decrease at 12.9%, followed by Lithuania (8.2%) and Germany (6.0%). At the same time, twelve countries reported increases in output prices. Ireland recorded the strongest rise at 6.8%, followed by Slovenia (5.6%) and Malta (4.2%).

Stability In Agricultural Inputs Amid Commodity Shifts

Agricultural input prices also showed mixed developments. Eleven member states recorded declines, including Cyprus (2.6%), Belgium (2.1%) and Sweden (2.0%). Other countries experienced moderate increases, including Lithuania (4.2%), Ireland (3.3%) and Romania (2.5%). Among major agricultural commodities, milk prices declined by 4.1% while cereal prices fell by 8.9% across the EU. In contrast, fertilisers and soil improvers increased by 7.9%, reflecting continued volatility in input markets.

Outlook For EU Agriculture

The latest Eurostat data points to uneven price developments across the EU agricultural sector. While input prices remained broadly stable in many markets, movements in output prices varied significantly between member states. These trends highlight the need for farmers and policymakers to adapt to shifting commodity prices and changing cost structures across the European agricultural market.