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| Leader Number One: Narendra Modi – The World’s Most Popular Democratic Leader |
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again been ranked the most popular democratic leader in the world, based on a recent global survey by US‑based data analytics firm Morning Consult Global Leader Approval Rating Tracker. According to this data:
• Narendra Modi tops the list with a 68 % global approval rating. (DD News On Air)
• Only 26 % respondents disapprove of his leadership — a relatively low disapproval rate compared with many other big‑name leaders globally. (The Times of India)
• These figures reflect a simple moving average of public opinion across different countries over the seven days (March 2 – 8, 2026). (Hindustan Times)
This continuing high approval not only reflects strong domestic confidence in Modi’s governance, but also a growing soft power footprint internationally. (Patrika News)
How Other Major Leaders Stack Up
Here’s how some key global leaders fared in the same tracker:
LeaderPositionApprox.
Approval Notes Guy Parmelin (President of Switzerland)2nd~62 %Tied with South Korea’s leader🇰🇷 Lee Jae‑myung (President of South Korea)2nd~62 %Strong regional figure
Donald Trump (US President)Mid~39 %Much lower global approval
Keir Starmer (UK Prime Minister)Lower tier~24 %Struggles with global perception
Emmanuel Macron (French President)Lowest~17 %High global disapproval (~75 %)
The significant lead Modi maintains shows a notable divergence between his global favorability and that of many Western leaders currently facing domestic challenges, geopolitical headwinds, or low global ratings. (Hindustan Times)
About the Survey: Morning Consult
Morning Consult is a respected US‑based business intelligence company that has been tracking global approval ratings for political leaders through its Global Leader Approval Rating Tracker.
The firm:
• Conducts continuous online opinion tracking across dozens of countries.
• Measures public sentiment via a seven‑day simple moving average of adult respondents’ views on leadership performance.
• Is widely referenced by media outlets and analysts for political trend insights. (Wikipedia)
Its methodology captures both domestic and international perceptions, giving a broad snapshot of how leaders are viewed globally. (Wikipedia)
Trends and Larger Context
Consistent High Ratings for Modi
• Modi’s global approval has been consistently high in previous Morning Consult tracking as well — for example, he had a 75 % approval rating in a previous mid‑2025 report. (Wikipedia)
• Historical data also shows that Modi has topped these global leader approval charts since at least the early 2020s, exceeding many peers in worldwide perception. (Wikipedia)
Why It Matters
Globally recognized approval ratings can influence:
• Perceptions of leadership effectiveness and confidence.
• Soft power — how a leader’s popularity affects their country’s image abroad.
• Geopolitical relationships and public diplomacy narratives.
For instance, Modi’s digital and social media footprint is also significant — he recently became the first world leader to cross 100 million Instagram followers, underscoring his global reach. (The Times of India)
Key Takeaways
Modi remains #1 globally — outpacing major democratic leaders with a strong 68 % approval spread.
Western leaders trail far behind, with lower global appeal in this snapshot. (Hindustan Times)
Morning Consult’s data is a credible industry benchmark for analyzing global leader sentiment. (Wikipedia)
This trend highlights not only Modi’s domestic base but also how his leadership is perceived across a wide range of countries in a complex geopolitical landscape.
Also Read https://www.grnews.in/2026/02/breakthrough-in-abu-dhabi-pow-exchange.html
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