PM Modi Emerges as World's Most Popular Leader with 68% Approval Rating
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again secured the top position as the most popular democratic leader globally, achieving a commanding approval rating of 68 percent, according to a recent survey by the US-based data analytics firm Morning Consult. This finding is part of the "Global Leader Approval Rating Tracker," which highlights PM Modi's sustained domestic popularity and growing international recognition, placing him well ahead of counterparts from other major world economies.
Survey Rankings and Comparative Analysis
The survey, based on data collected from March 2 to 8, 2026, ranks Switzerland's President Guy Parmelin and South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung in second place, each with approval ratings of 62 percent. In stark contrast, other prominent Western leaders trail significantly. US President Donald Trump holds an approval rating of 39 percent, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has 24 percent approval. French President Emmanuel Macron remains one of the lowest-ranked leaders, with a 17 percent approval rating and a high disapproval rating of 75 percent.
Morning Consult noted that these ratings reflect a trailing seven-day simple moving average of views among adults in each surveyed country. PM Modi's net approval remains remarkably high, with only 26 percent of respondents expressing disapproval, a figure that is substantially lower than most other leaders featured in the tracker.
Sustained Leadership and Historical Milestones
This latest result follows a previous report from July 2025, which also showed Prime Minister Modi in a dominant position as the world's most popular democratic leader, with a 75 percent approval rating. In that earlier assessment, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung followed with 59 percent approval, and Argentine President Javier Milei took third place at 57 percent. US President Donald Trump, who returned to office last year, was placed eighth with 44 percent approval.
PM Modi, who began his third consecutive term in May 2024, continues to hold this top spot as his tenure reaches a significant historical milestone. Recently, he completed 4,079 days in office, officially surpassing Indira Gandhi to become the second-longest serving Prime Minister of India in an uninterrupted term. With this achievement, PM Modi now trails only the nation's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in terms of continuous time served in the role.
The survey underscores PM Modi's enduring appeal and leadership on the global stage, reinforcing his status as a key figure in international politics.
