Keywords: World Bank Group, Stakeholder Analysis, Institutional Trust, Comparative Research, Country Opinion Survey Data, Methods

The World Bank Group (WBG) uses various research techniques to collect feedback on its work in client countries. The WBG’s Country Opinion Survey (COS) Program (https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/world-bank-country-opinion-surveys ) systematically measures and tracks the perceptions of the World Bank’s clients, partners, and other stakeholders across the globe. The objective is to provide a basis for building a productive, sustainable dialogue with policymakers in WBG’s client countries, strengthen partnerships, and improve the effectiveness of its work in reducing poverty. The WBG’s Country Opinion Surveys explore stakeholder views on the socio-political landscape in client countries, trust in institutions, perceptions of its work and potential reputational risks, engagement, and partnerships on the ground. Survey respondents typically come from national and local governments, multilateral/bilateral agencies, media, academia, the private sector, and civil society. The presentation will explore three key themes (1) perceptions, dynamics, and narratives of trust in national governments, the WBG, and other international multilateral organizations across diverse regions, including Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe/Central Asia (2) challenges encountered in survey distribution and data collection among varied respondent groups, such as government officials, parliamentarians, and civil society representatives; and (3) methodological approaches to analyzing over 5,000 qualitative survey responses. Drawing on insights from the World Bank Group’s recent survey work in 43 countries, the presentation will synthesize findings from the 2024 Country Opinion Survey, encompassing quantitative and qualitative data analyses.