G20 Approval Ratings: Prabowo Subianto, Claudia Sheinbaum, and Narendra Modi lead global sentiment shift
April 2025 has brought fresh insight into global political dynamics, as new approval ratings for G20 leaders reveal surprising shifts and regional divergences in public sentiment.
According to analysis by Reuters and Political Pulse, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto tops the chart with an overwhelming 81% approval rating. Sworn in just months ago, Subianto has benefited from a post-election honeymoon period, strengthened by promises of continuity and decisive leadership following Joko Widodo’s tenure. Analysts note that his early efforts to strengthen domestic food security and military modernisation have played well with the Indonesian electorate.
In second place, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi enjoys a robust 75% approval, evidence of his continued popularity as India approaches another general election cycle. Modi's approval is supported by recent economic resilience, expanding digital infrastructure, and a strong nationalist narrative that resonates with his base. His leadership of the Global South and diplomatic assertiveness on the world stage have also solidified his domestic image.
A surprise entrant in the third spot is Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, with a 66% approval rating. As Mexico's first female president-elect, Sheinbaum's popularity is fueled by her affiliation with ex-President AMLO's (Andrés Manuel López Obrador ) social welfare policies and her technocratic credibility as a former scientist and mayor of Mexico City.
Javier Milei, Argentina's libertarian president, holds a 65% approval rating, slightly behind Sheinbaum. His high rating is remarkable given his radical economic reforms and confrontational political style. Milei’s early austerity measures have been divisive, but a portion of the population sees him as a necessary disruptor after years of economic instability.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has returned to office, sits at 52%. This middling figure reflects a deeply polarised electorate. Trump's economic populism and border policies continue to energise his base, but his approval is constrained by ongoing legal and ethical controversies.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese follows at 46%, reflecting moderate public satisfaction amid cost-of-living challenges and housing affordability debates. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni holds a 42% approval rating, benefiting from her nationalist tone and fiscal conservatism, though tensions with EU partners may affect her future standing.
In the lower tier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan both sit at 35% and 33% respectively, hampered by economic sluggishness and domestic unrest. French President Emmanuel Macron trails the list with 30%, a reflection of widespread dissatisfaction over pension reforms and recurring labour strikes.
