Share of electricity generation from fossil fuels in France
France: Share of electricity generation from fossil fuels was 5.1% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Share of electricity generation from fossil fuels in France, 1985–2025
Source: Ember (2026) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of electricity generation from fossil fuels in France is 5.1%, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 0.9% on the previous year and down 34.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of electricity generation from fossil fuels in France peaked at 15.0% in 1985 and was at its lowest, 5.1%, in 2024.
France ranks 193rd of 213 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 41 years of available data.
Share of electricity generation from fossil fuels in France, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 15.0% | — |
| 1986 | 10.9% | -27.6% |
| 1987 | 9.4% | -13.2% |
| 1988 | 8.4% | -10.5% |
| 1989 | 11.6% | +37.9% |
| 1990 | 11.4% | -2.2% |
| 1991 | 13.4% | +18.2% |
| 1992 | 11.0% | -18.2% |
| 1993 | 7.4% | -32.8% |
| 1994 | 7.1% | -3.7% |
| 1995 | 7.9% | +10.5% |
| 1996 | 8.5% | +8.5% |
| 1997 | 7.8% | -8.4% |
| 1998 | 10.8% | +37.8% |
| 1999 | 9.9% | -7.8% |
| 2000 | 9.3% | -6.3% |
| 2001 | 8.4% | -10.0% |
| 2002 | 9.4% | +12.2% |
| 2003 | 10.1% | +7.7% |
| 2004 | 9.8% | -2.9% |
| 2005 | 11.0% | +12.0% |
| 2006 | 9.9% | -10.0% |
| 2007 | 10.3% | +3.9% |
| 2008 | 9.7% | -5.4% |
| 2009 | 9.6% | -1.0% |
| 2010 | 10.2% | +5.4% |
| 2011 | 10.4% | +2.7% |
| 2012 | 10.0% | -3.9% |
| 2013 | 9.3% | -7.3% |
| 2014 | 6.3% | -32.0% |
| 2015 | 7.8% | +23.6% |
| 2016 | 10.1% | +29.7% |
| 2017 | 11.8% | +16.2% |
| 2018 | 8.6% | -27.2% |
| 2019 | 9.5% | +10.5% |
| 2020 | 9.2% | -3.2% |
| 2021 | 8.9% | -3.3% |
| 2022 | 12.9% | +45.1% |
| 2023 | 7.9% | -38.6% |
| 2024 | 5.1% | -35.5% |
| 2025 | 5.1% | +0.9% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 5.1% is below the median for high income countries, which is 60.0%, 9% of the median. (75 countries reporting)
- France's 5.1% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 28.1%, 18% of the median. (51 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 11.1% | 8.4% | 15.0% | 5 |
| 1990s | 9.5% | 7.1% | 13.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 9.8% | 8.4% | 11.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 9.4% | 6.3% | 11.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 8.2% | 5.1% | 12.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near France
- 190 Denmark 8.8% compare
- 191 Luxembourg 8.4% compare
- 192 Tajikistan 5.6% compare
- 194 Sierra Leone 4.8% compare
- 195 Malawi 4.4% compare
- 196 Finland 3.7% compare
More energy & mining data for France
- Primary energy from fossil nuclear renewables, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fuel imports 10.6% (2025)
- Ores and metals imports 2.3% (2025)
- Fuel exports 3.8% (2025)
- Ores and metals exports 2.3% (2025)
- Gas production 0.1487 terawatt-hours (2024)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 2.23 kilowatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 0.1487 terawatt-hours (2024)
- Gas production per person 2.23 kilowatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of electricity generation from fossil fuels in France?
- Share of electricity generation from fossil fuels in France was 5.1% in 2025, according to Ember (2026) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of electricity generation from fossil fuels recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 15.0% in 1985.
- What is the lowest share of electricity generation from fossil fuels recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.1% in 2024.
- How does France rank for share of electricity generation from fossil fuels?
- France ranks 193rd out of 213 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of electricity generation from fossil fuels rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is down 34.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from Ember (2026) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of electricity generation from fossil fuels. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Electricity generation from coal, oil, and gas, measured as a percentage of total electricity produced in the country or region.