Public confidence in government institutions remains a major governance challenge, as new figures highlighted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reveal a difference between citizens’ perceptions of voting and their sense of having a meaningful influence on public decisions.

According to the figures presented for the OECD average in 2025, approximately 68% of people believe that voting can have a moderate or significant impact on government actions. However, only 31% feel that their voices influence what governments do. The contrast raises important questions about how public institutions can make citizens feel heard beyond election periods.

Voting and Public Participation Are Not the Same

Elections provide people with an opportunity to select their representatives and express their preferences through the ballot. Yet citizens may judge their relationship with government through many other experiences, including access to public services, opportunities to participate in consultations and the responsiveness of elected officials.

The difference between the two indicators suggests that recognising the importance of voting does not automatically translate into a feeling of direct influence over government decisions. People may participate in elections while remaining uncertain about whether their concerns receive attention once political representatives take office.

These figures describe the OECD average rather than the situation in every individual member country. Public perceptions can vary according to national institutions, political circumstances and people’s experiences with public administration.

Why Citizens Need to Feel Heard

Trust in public institutions is influenced by how effectively governments communicate, respond to concerns and explain their decisions. When people cannot see how their feedback affects policies, they may question whether public participation produces meaningful results.

Accessible consultation processes can help address this concern. Governments can create opportunities for residents to contribute to discussions on local development, healthcare, education, transport and other public priorities. Publishing clear explanations of decisions and reporting what happened to public suggestions can make these processes more transparent.

Digital platforms can also widen participation, provided that people without reliable internet access or digital skills are not excluded. Community meetings, public hearings and other traditional methods remain important for reaching different sections of society.

Improving Transparency and Accountability

Strengthening public confidence requires more than inviting people to express their opinions. Institutions also need procedures for reviewing submissions, responding to complaints and explaining why particular proposals are accepted or rejected.

Clear communication about policy objectives, spending decisions and implementation progress can help citizens assess how public resources are used. Independent oversight and accessible information can further support accountability.

Governments must also recognise that public feedback may reflect competing priorities. Not every request can be implemented, but explaining the evidence, constraints and reasoning behind a decision can help people understand how choices are made.

Technology Can Expand Civic Engagement

Online consultations, digital feedback systems and accessible public information portals can make it easier for people to communicate with government agencies. When properly designed, these tools can help officials identify recurring concerns and evaluate whether public services are meeting community needs.

However, technology alone cannot guarantee meaningful participation. Governments need to ensure that digital systems protect personal information, provide accessible alternatives and demonstrate that submitted feedback receives appropriate consideration.

Building a Stronger Relationship Between Governments and Citizens

The OECD figures draw attention to an important distinction in democratic participation: people may recognise voting as a way to influence government without feeling that they have a sufficient voice in everyday policymaking.

Addressing this gap requires consistent engagement between elections, transparent decision-making and visible responses to public concerns. Institutions can strengthen participation by showing citizens how their contributions are considered and how decisions are ultimately reached.

The central governance challenge is to connect formal democratic participation with everyday experiences of being represented, informed and heard. Improving that connection can help public institutions build more constructive relationships with the communities they serve.