As the global Nuclear Energy Summit opens, 61% of French people consider nuclear energy to be a strategic asset (Ipsos-BVA survey for Orano)
As France hosts the second Nuclear Energy Summit today, in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Orano is publishing the fourth edition of its benchmark survey “The French and Nuclear Energy”, conducted by Ipsos-BVA. This major national survey, conducted in November 2025, confirms a lasting underlying trend: the majority of French people now consider nuclear energy to be an asset for France, particularly in terms of strengthening national sovereignty and contributing to the stability of living standards. However, one figure in this survey raises questions about our awareness of scientific facts. Indeed, more than one in two French people still believe that nuclear energy contributes to the greenhouse effect and therefore to global warming.
Nicolas Maes, CEO of Orano: "This new edition of our barometer confirms that the French public have renewed their trust in nuclear energy, placing it at the heart of the country's energy sovereignty and economic competitiveness. On this opening day of the Nuclear Energy Summit, France therefore has the backing of public opinion, which considers the nuclear industry to be a source of strength for the nation. Besides underlining this support, the survey also raises questions as to how people understand the science, with the belief that nuclear power has a negative impact on the climate still commonly held, notably among younger generations.”
Nicolas Maes, CEO of Orano: "This new edition of our barometer confirms that the French public have renewed their trust in nuclear energy, placing it at the heart of the country's energy sovereignty and economic competitiveness. On this opening day of the Nuclear Energy Summit, France therefore has the backing of public opinion, which considers the nuclear industry to be a source of strength for the nation. Besides underlining this support, the survey also raises questions as to how people understand the science, with the belief that nuclear power has a negative impact on the climate still commonly held, notably among younger generations.”
Among the key results:
- 61% of French people (up 4 points since the 2023 survey) consider nuclear energy to be an asset for the country, while just 6% think it is a liability. The positive momentum has therefore continued since 2019.
- Energy independence (57%) remains the main perceived benefit of this energy source, ahead of production flexibility (33%) and affordable electricity (32%).
- More and more respondents believe that nuclear energy creates jobs (60%) (+19 points since 2021).
- 69% of young people (aged 18-24) believe that nuclear energy contributes to CO2 emissions and global warming.
A growing and deepening momentum of support for nuclear energy
The results of this latest edition of the barometer mark a step forward in the positive relationship between the French and nuclear energy. As at the end of 2025, 61% of French people say that nuclear energy is an asset for the country and this figure
is showing steady and solid growth: +14 points since the barometer was created in 2019, and another +4 points compared to the last survey in 2023.
There is now a consensus on nuclear energy. Its opponents, who view the industry as a handicap,
have become marginalized, representing only 6% of the population. This shift demonstrates the French people's growing awareness of energy issues: they now clearly see nuclear energy as a solution for the future that is essential to the country's stability.
The share of the population anticipating a nuclear / renewables energy mix continues to increase (68%, up 2 points since 2023).
Nuclear energy: an ally for sovereignty and living standards
This support is based on an awareness of current geopolitical and economic issues. Nuclear energy is perceived as safeguarding France's strategic autonomy:
- Energy independence is the main driver of support, cited by 57% of respondents. In an uncertain world, nuclear power is seen as a safe haven, allowing France to control its own energy future.
- Protecting people's spending power is the other big factor behind this support: over half of French people (54%) think nuclear energy has a positive impact on electricity prices (+5 points vs. 2023), and 33% like the stability of production, which guarantees security of supply in the middle of winter.
An industry recognized for its dynamism and jobs
The industry's image has changed significantly. The nuclear sector is now praised for its major contribution to the economy and to regional reindustrialization. 60% of French people (+19 points since 2019) consider the sector to be a driver of economic
growth and job creation.
The survey also highlights an encouraging sign for the future: the sector's appeal to young people. The vast majority of 18-24 year olds identify the nuclear industry as a sector with a promising future. 72% of
them believe that nuclear power creates jobs and offers career opportunities.
This perception ties in with the reality of the massive investments made by the industry and the recruitment drives launched in recent years. The sector is perceived
as a cutting-edge industry, providing skilled, sustainable, and non-relocatable jobs, and actively contributing to the country's productive recovery.
Disturbing figures on the climate argument
While support for nuclear energy is becoming firmly established in public opinion, the study also reveals a worrying situation regarding the French people's still incomplete understanding of the environmental implications of nuclear power. The proportion
of French people who believe that the energy source contributes to CO2 emissions remains in the majority at 52% despite significant improvements in 2021 and 2023. And this figure rises to 69% for young people aged 18 to 24! A perception that raises
questions about the understanding of the scientific facts.
In a context where 56% of respondents consider the fight against climate change to be the main environmental challenge facing future generations—ahead of the preservation
of natural resources (39%), plastic waste management (30%), and biodiversity (24%)—it is worth remembering that one of the main advantages of nuclear energy lies precisely in its ability to produce low-carbon electricity, and that it therefore
represents a major opportunity.
Methodology
The Ipsos-BVA survey for Orano was conducted by internet from November 12 to 19, 2025, with a representative sample of the French population comprising 1,204 people aged 18 and over. The representativeness of the sample was guaranteed by the quota sampling method applied to the following variables: gender, age, occupation of the respondent and the household's reference person, region, and category of agglomeration. The comparative data presented in this press release and in the survey refers to the results of earlier surveys conducted by BVA for Orano in 2023, 2021 and 2019.
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