Top 10 Countries by Nuclear Power Capacity – Who Leads the Energy Race?
As of 2025, the world is grappling with two monumental challenges: achieving carbon neutrality and securing stable energy supplies.
Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are intermittent, while fossil fuels remain environmentally harmful.
In this context, nuclear power is experiencing a global resurgence.
With the explosive growth of AI data centers and electric vehicles driving electricity demand through the roof, nuclear energy's role as a reliable baseload power source has never been more critical.
Today, we'll analyze the top 10 countries by nuclear power capacity, based on official data from the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and national energy ministries.
We'll go beyond the rankings to explore each country's energy strategy and future outlook.
📊 Top 10 Nuclear Power Capacities by Country (2025 Data)
Source: IAEA PRIS Database, national energy ministries (as of 2025)
|
Rank |
Country |
Nuclear
Capacity (GW) |
Operating
Reactors |
Nuclear
Share of Electricity |
|
1 |
🇺🇸 United States |
97.0 |
94 |
~20% |
|
2 |
🇫🇷 France |
63.0 |
56 |
~70% |
|
3 |
🇨🇳 China |
55.3 |
55 |
~5% |
|
4 |
🇯🇵 Japan |
31.7 |
33
(restarting) |
~6–8% |
|
5 |
🇷🇺 Russia |
25.6 |
37 |
~20% |
|
6 |
🇰🇷 South Korea |
25.6 |
26 |
~30% |
|
7 |
🇨🇦 Canada |
13.7 |
19 |
~15% |
|
8 |
🇺🇦 Ukraine |
13.1 |
15 |
~55% |
|
9 |
🇪🇸 Spain |
7.12 |
7 |
~20% |
|
10 |
🇸🇪 Sweden |
7.01 |
6 |
~30% |
⚠️ Russia and South Korea are tied at 25.6 GW each, with negligible differences beyond decimal points.
🇺🇸 No. 1: United States – The Pioneer and Global Leader
The United States tops the list with a staggering 97 GW of nuclear capacity.
It currently operates 94 commercial reactors, which supply about 20% of the nation's electricity.
Most U.S. nuclear plants are concentrated along the East Coast and the Midwest.
Recently, the Biden administration has been actively investing in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and next-generation nuclear technologies.
Through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) , the U.S. government provides tax incentives for maintaining existing plants and building new ones, officially recognizing nuclear power as a clean energy source.
💡 The U.S. is not only a technology leader but also the world's largest nuclear power market.
🇫🇷 No. 2: France – Energy Independence Through Nuclear Power
France ranks second with 63 GW, but it holds the world's highest nuclear dependency — about 70% of its total electricity comes from nuclear energy.
Following the 1970s oil crisis, France made a strategic pivot to nuclear power to achieve energy independence.
It currently operates 56 reactors and is extending the lifespan of aging plants while building new ones like the Flamanville 3 reactor.
🌍 France is also a major nuclear technology exporter, having supplied its technology to the UK, China, and other nations.
🇨🇳 No. 3: China – The Fastest-Growing Nuclear Powerhouse
China ranks third with 55.3 GW, but what's more impressive is that it currently has over 20 reactors under construction — more than any other country.
The Chinese government aims to expand nuclear capacity to over 100 GW by 2030.
China is building plants not only along its coast but also in inland western regions, operating diverse reactor types including the U.S.-designed AP1000 and its own HPR1000 (Hualong One) .
🌏 China is the only country that has achieved both indigenous technology development and nuclear exports in such a short time.
🇯🇵 No. 4: Japan – Rebuilding After Fukushima
Japan ranks fourth with 31.7 GW, but most of its reactors were shut down after the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
Since 2022, however, Japan has been actively restarting its reactors amid an energy crisis and carbon neutrality commitments.
Around 10 reactors have already resumed operation, and the government targets raising nuclear's share to 20–22% by 2030.
🇷🇺 No. 5 & 🇰🇷 No. 6: Russia and South Korea – A Tight Tie
Russia and South Korea are tied at 25.6 GW each.
Russia is not only a major domestic operator but also a global nuclear exporter, building plants in Turkey, Bangladesh, Egypt, and India.
South Korea is one of the few countries capable of designing and building reactors independently with its APR1400 technology.
Following the successful export of the Barakah plant in the UAE, Korea is now pursuing deals in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Saudi Arabia.
The Korean government aims to raise nuclear's share of electricity to over 30% by 2030.
🌍 No. 7–10: Canada, Ukraine, Spain, and Sweden
Canada (13.7 GW): Operates unique CANDU heavy-water reactors.
Ukraine (13.1 GW): Continues to operate its plants even amid ongoing war, relying on nuclear for ~55% of its power.
Spain (7.12 GW): Maintains a gradual phase-out policy but is recently reconsidering.
Sweden (7.01 GW): Has shifted from a phase-out policy to reviewing nuclear expansion.
💰 Nuclear Power – Where Are the Investment Opportunities?
These numbers are not just statistics — they have real implications for energy security, electricity prices, carbon emissions, and even stock markets.
1. Nuclear Stocks & ETFs
The expansion policies of the U.S., France, and China are positive for uranium mining, SMR technology, and reactor construction companies.
Popular ETFs: URA, NLR
2. Electricity Price Stability
Countries with high nuclear shares (France, South Korea) tend to have lower long-term electricity price volatility.
3. K-Nuclear Export Theme
South Korea's APR1400 export success is a strong signal for domestic suppliers like Doosan Enerbility and KEPCO E&C.
🧭 Final Thoughts – Nuclear's Revival Is No Longer Optional
Amid the climate crisis and energy turmoil, nuclear power has shifted from being a subject of controversy to a practical and essential solution.
Major economies — including the U.S., France, China, and South Korea — are all moving to expand or maintain their nuclear fleets.
With AI and EV adoption skyrocketing, the importance of nuclear energy will only continue to grow.
Which country's nuclear strategy are you watching most closely?
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