Prabowo’s 81% Approval Rating Tops Global Leaders
Main Takeaways
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JAKARTA, investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto has emerged as the world’s most popular democratically elected leader, with an approval rating of 81.2%, according to a recent national survey by LSI Denny JA. The figure places him ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (76%) and former U.S. President Donald Trump (46%) in a global ranking compiled with Morning Consult data.
The survey, conducted between May 16 and 31, 2025, also showed strong public support for Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, with overall satisfaction for the administration remaining high just seven months into office.
“Some 81.2% of respondents stated they are satisfied or very satisfied with the Prabowo-Gibran administration,” LSI Denny JA noted in its report released Thursday, June 5. The survey mirrored an earlier one by Indonesia Political Opinion (IPO), which also recorded Prabowo’s approval rating at 81% in May.
Global Comparison: Prabowo Ranks First
The approval score not only reflects strong domestic sentiment but also positions Prabowo as the most approved leader globally among his democratic peers. Using comparative data sourced from Morning Consult and LSI Denny JA, the chart above ranks 24 world leaders.
Highlights include India’s Narendra Modi, who trailed Pabowo at 76%, followed by Javier Milei of Argentina with 58%, while U.S. President Donald Trump garnered 46%. Leaders from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron (France), Pedro Sánchez (Spain), and Petr Fiala (Czech Republic) scored below 40%.
The data underscores Prabowo’s commanding approval amid a shifting geopolitical climate, aided by his personal popularity and strong messaging in the early stages of his presidency.
Honeymoon Phase and Political Dominance
LSI attributes part of this high approval to what it calls a “political honeymoon period,” typically seen in the first 6 to 12 months of a new administration. The absence of a strong opposition has further solidified the dominance of the Prabowo-Gibran narrative.
Public recognition of Prabowo stands at 98%, with 94.4% of respondents expressing personal favorability. Meanwhile, 81% of Indonesians believe the country is heading in the right direction.
Five Areas of Strength, Two Areas of Concern
According to the survey, the Prabowo-Gibran administration received “blue marks” in five major areas of governance, with social and cultural conditions earning the highest approval at 95.1%. This was followed by national security at 83.1%, political stability at 70.8%, law enforcement at 67.8%, and macroeconomic performance at 67.4%.
“These five indicators form a solid framework of early legitimacy,” the report stated. “In political sociology, a sense of security, functioning legal institutions, and political stability are invisible pillars upholding democratic trust.”
However, the administration received “red marks” in two critical sectors employment: 60.8% said finding jobs was harder than a year ago. Basic living needs: 58.3% struggled to meet daily essentials, reflecting continued household pressure on purchasing power.
Waiting for Proof of Progress
Despite the challenges, LSI noted that public confidence in the government's direction remains strong.
“People believe in the direction of current policies,” the report said. “But they are waiting for proof—higher purchasing power, more jobs, and lives that feel a little better than yesterday.”
Methodology
The LSI Denny JA survey sampled 1,200 respondents across Indonesia through multi-stage random sampling. It carries a margin of error of ±2.9% and was supplemented by qualitative research, including in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, expert opinions, and media analysis.