Share of primary energy from nuclear in South Africa

South Africa: Share of primary energy from nuclear was 2.3% in 2025. β—† Volatile

Latest (2025)
2.3%
Change on year
up 31.3%
Rank
25th
of 215 groups
All-time high
3.6%
in 1998
All-time low
0.0%
in 1965
Years of data
61
1965–2025

Share of primary energy from nuclear in South Africa, 1965–2025

01234196519952025

Source: Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); Smil (2017); U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.

Analysis

In 2025, share of primary energy from nuclear in South Africa stood at 2.3%.

That represents a change of up 31.3% on the previous year and down 11.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, share of primary energy from nuclear in South Africa peaked at 3.6% in 1998 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1965.

That places South Africa 25th out of 215 groups with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1960s 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 5
1970s 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 10
1980s 1.4% 0.0% 3.4% 10
1990s 2.9% 2.1% 3.6% 10
2000s 2.8% 2.2% 3.3% 10
2010s 2.9% 2.4% 3.2% 10
2020s 2.4% 1.8% 2.9% 6

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 22 United Kingdom 6.2% compare
  2. 23 Argentina 3.7% compare
  3. 24 China 3.3% compare
  4. 26 Brazil 1.5% compare
  5. 27 India 1.5% compare
  6. 28 Mexico 1.4% compare

See the full ranking of 218 places β†’

More energy & mining data for South Africa

All data for South Africa β†’

Frequently asked questions

What is share of primary energy from nuclear in South Africa?
Share of primary energy from nuclear in South Africa was 2.3% in 2025, according to Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); Smil (2017); U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
What is the highest share of primary energy from nuclear recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 3.6% in 1998.
What is the lowest share of primary energy from nuclear recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1965.
How does South Africa rank for share of primary energy from nuclear?
South Africa ranks 25th out of 215 groups with data for 2025.
Is share of primary energy from nuclear rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 11.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); Smil (2017); U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of primary energy from nuclear. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV Β· JSON β€” 61 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator
Share of primary energy from nuclear
Unit
%
Source
Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); Smil (2017); U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
218 places, 10,361 data points, 1965–2025
Last refreshed

Measured as a percentage of total energy supply.