Global nuclear power consumption share 2023, by leading country

The United States is the largest consumer of nuclear power, accounting for almost 30 percent of the world’s nuclear power consumption in 2023. That year, nuclear energy consumption in the U.S. totaled 7.3 exajoules.

Nuclear power generation

In 2010, global nuclear power generation reached 2,630 terawatt-hours. Following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in March 2011, that year saw an output drop. Generation also declined in 2012 but has since recovered, peaking at 2,657 terawatt-hours in 2019. Currently, nuclear power accounts for roughly nine percent of global electricity generation.

Nuclear reactors

As the top producer of nuclear power, it comes as no surprise that the U.S. has by far the most operable nuclear reactors worldwide. With a total of 94 units in operation as of May 2024, this is almost 40 more than in China. Nevertheless, whilst the U.S. had no planned nuclear reactor additions at the time, China had 41. The Asian country also had 25 nuclear reactors under construction. It is projected that China will surpass the U.S. as the world’s largest nuclear energy producer.