Photo: Tobi 87 derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 16 of 18 · Country Index 2026
France: Energy
Where does a country’s electricity come from, and who can get it?
France is placed 26th of 165 countries on energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Carbon Intensity of Electricity 40.34 (2024); Renewable Share of Electricity Generation 27.53 (2024).
Share
Energy
26th
of 165 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place France on energy — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
40.34
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)
Lower is better
France: 40.34. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 23.73 (Bhutan) to 1,306 (Turkmenistan); the world median is 433.75.
- World median
- 433.75
- Best in Western Europe
- 40.34 France
- Land neighbours
- Belgium 126.93 · Spain 146.26 · Italy 281.44 · Luxembourg 125.83 · Suriname 322.99
27.53
Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Higher is better
France: 27.53. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Gambia) to 100 (Paraguay); the world median is 32.06.
- World median
- 32.06
- Best in Western Europe
- 90.73 Luxembourg
- Land neighbours
- Belgium 35.2 · Spain 57.33 · Italy 50.17 · Luxembourg 90.73 · Suriname 52.87
Key 3 of 3
World Energy Trilemma Index
World Energy Council
2023 edition · data for 2023 · Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
80.6
Trilemma score (0–100)
Higher is better
Ranked 6th of 99 by World Energy Council
France: 80.6. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 27.7 (Niger) to 83.2 (Denmark); the world median is 63.8.
- World median
- 63.8
- Best in Western Europe
- 82.1 Switzerland
- Land neighbours
- Belgium 77.1 · Brazil 68.3 · Switzerland 82.1 · Germany 80.2 · Spain 77.8 · Italy 74.3 · Luxembourg 77.3
02Over time
Which way France is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Carbon Intensity of Electricity
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) · lower is better
FranceWorld median
France fell from 79.76 in 2000 to 40.34 in 2024; the world median went from 540.34 to 433.75.
Every year’s figures
Year France World median 2024 40.337 433.7 2023 53.286 452.7 2022 78.553 476.3 2021 59.801 469.0 2020 59.095 482.0 2019 59.795 488.2 2018 59.940 500.4 2017 78.333 506.3 2016 68.597 521.9 2015 59.187 524.8 2014 52.187 522.3 2013 76.284 508.8 2012 77.602 525.4 2011 74.645 521.4 2010 78.551 515.5 2009 75.580 533.6 2008 76.024 517.2 2007 80.115 535.3 2006 76.575 537.5 2005 85.529 521.4 2004 77.173 523.1 2003 80.861 543.1 2002 75.216 551.3 2001 68.616 559.3 2000 79.760 540.3 Renewable Share of Electricity Generation
Renewables (% of electricity generated) · higher is better
FranceWorld median
France rose from 12.74 in 2000 to 27.53 in 2024; the world median went from 15.61 to 32.06.
Every year’s figures
Year France World median 2024 27.53 32.062 2023 26.89 28.000 2022 24.19 28.881 2021 22.19 28.286 2020 23.71 27.125 2019 19.96 26.296 2018 19.76 25.505 2017 16.54 24.023 2016 17.72 22.218 2015 16.00 21.915 2014 16.60 21.151 2013 17.24 21.593 2012 15.02 19.869 2011 11.63 18.584 2010 13.64 18.572 2009 12.89 17.886 2008 12.76 15.923 2007 11.45 15.586 2006 10.74 15.392 2005 9.66 16.438 2004 11.02 16.445 2003 10.99 16.339 2002 11.37 13.826 2001 14.02 14.023 2000 12.74 15.612
03In context
France beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 165 countries on energy, never a place within the region.
France and the countries it borders
Standing among all 165; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Carbon Intensity of ElectricityCarbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) | Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationRenewables (% of electricity generated) | World Energy Trilemma IndexTrilemma score (0–100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Luxembourg | 14th | 125.83 | 90.73 | 77.3 |
 Spain | 25th | 146.26 | 57.33 | 77.8 |
| France | 26th | 40.34 | 27.53 | 80.6 |
 Belgium | 32nd | 126.93 | 35.2 | 77.1 |
 Italy | =47th | 281.44 | 50.17 | 74.3 |
 Suriname | 57th | 322.99 | 52.87 | — |
 Andorra | not placed | — | — | — |
 Brazil | not placed | — | — | 68.3 |
 Germanycompare | not placed | — | — | 80.2 |
 Monaco | not placed | — | — | — |
 Switzerland | not placed | — | — | 82.1 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 165.
Placed either side on energy
The countries immediately above and below France in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where France is ahead of the world, and behind
25 more statistics filed under energy, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median7
Statistics on which France does better than the middle country measured.
RISE Renewable Energy Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 33.2688.0733.26▲ Improved since 2013
France: 88.07 · world median 33.26 · Renewable energy policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.056 to 89.52; higher is better.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3294.9237.32No real change since 2014
France: 94.92 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 17th of 162 · derived.
Firms Owning or Sharing a GeneratorWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 24.8511.0524.85No earlier reading
France: 11.05 · world median 24.85 · Firms owning or sharing a generator (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.158 to 90.51; lower is better.
RISE Energy Efficiency Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 48.2370.5848.23No real change since 2013
France: 70.58 · world median 48.23 · Energy efficiency policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.975 to 95.93; higher is better.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27912.935.279▼ Worsened since 2014
France: 12.93 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
Firms Identifying Electricity as a Major ConstraintWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 25.7721.7925.77No earlier reading
France: 21.79 · world median 25.77 · Firms rating electricity a major or very severe constraint (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 84.77; lower is better.
Position 108th of 179 · derived, 1st = worst.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7382.7212.738▲ Improved since 2014
France: 2.721 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Behind the world median2
Statistics on which France does worse than the middle country measured.
CO₂ Emissions per CapitaGlobal Carbon Project · 2024 · world median 3.213.9693.21▲ Improved since 2014
France: 3.969 · world median 3.21 · Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person). Global Carbon Project, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.054 to 41.27; lower is better.
Position 86th of 210 · derived, 1st = worst.
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 00.1810▲ Improved since 2014
France: 0.181 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare3
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
France: 100 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
France: 100 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 100100100No real change since 2016
France: 100 · world median 100 · Primary schools with access to electricity (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.246 to 100; higher is better.
No better end13
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Nuclear Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 067.40No real change since 2014
France: 67.4 · world median 0 · Nuclear (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 67.4.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 10025,610100No earlier reading
France: 25,610 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.14421.530.144Moved since 2014
France: 21.53 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Primary Energy ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 0.0774.4020.077No real change since 2014
France: 4.402 · world median 0.077 · Primary energy produced (quadrillion Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 130.76.
Primary Energy Consumption per CapitaEIA · 2024 · world median 49.5124.4549.5No real change since 2014
France: 124.45 · world median 49.5 · Energy use per person (million Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.95 to 766.07.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 5251,907525No earlier reading
France: 1,907 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Crude Oil ProductionEIA · 2025 · world median 010.220No real change since 2015
France: 10.22 · world median 0 · Crude oil produced (thousand barrels per day). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 13,586.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.0494.4393.049Moved since 2014
France: 4.439 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Natural Gas ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 00.0130No real change since 2014
France: 0.013 · world median 0 · Dry natural gas produced (billion cubic metres). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,069.
Gas Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 2.5853.2062.585Moved since 2014
France: 3.206 · world median 2.585 · Natural gas (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.97.
Hydro Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 12.8512.612.85No real change since 2014
France: 12.6 · world median 12.85 · Hydropower (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100.
Photovoltaic Power Potential (PVOUT)World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis · 2020 · world median 4.2733.3864.273No earlier reading
France: 3.386 · world median 4.273 · Practical solar power potential (kWh per kWp per day, long-term average). World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.513 to 5.379.
Net Electricity Imports (share of generation)Ember · 2024 · world median 0-15.940Moved since 2014
France: -15.94 · world median 0 · Net electricity imports (% of domestic generation). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -70.16 to 707.07.
No current reading for France
RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score and RISE Electricity Access Policy Score. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Energy among France’s 16 topics
Energy is France’s 10th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Economy & Innovation7th of 1764/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 9th of 1984/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge10th of 1983/4 keys
- Gender & Equality10th of 1834/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture16th of 1844/4 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 19th of 1963/3 keys
- Governance & Institutions21st of 1944/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade24th of 1774/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality23rd of 1593/3 keys
- Energy26th of 1653/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties36th of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing42nd of 2003/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 41st of 1934/4 keys
- Work & Labour61st of 1824/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 95th of 1774/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability114th of 1864/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on energy
The three countries placed highest of 165, and the leaders France can most readily be measured against.
1
BhutanSouthern Asia
1st of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 165 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
UgandaEastern Africa
3rd of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Europe
Norway2nd3/3 keysHighest in Western Europe
Austria7th3/3 keysThis page
France26th3/3 keys
Positions out of 165 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
France on energy: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does France rank on energy?
France is placed 26th of 165 countries on Energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Carbon Intensity of Electricity, Renewable Share of Electricity Generation and World Energy Trilemma Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Carbon Intensity of Electricity figure for France?
40.34 in 2024 (carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 433.75.
What is the latest Renewable Share of Electricity Generation figure for France?
27.53 in 2024 (renewables (% of electricity generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 32.06.
How does France compare with Brazil on energy?
Brazil is not placed on Energy, holding too few of its key statistics, and France 26th. World Energy Trilemma Index: Brazil 68.3, France 80.6.
How have France’s energy figures changed?
Carbon Intensity of Electricity fell from 79.76 in 2000 to 40.34 in 2024; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation rose from 12.74 in 2000 to 27.53 in 2024.
Which energy statistics are missing for France?
No current reading is published for France on RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score and RISE Electricity Access Policy Score. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
This is deliberately the electricity and energy-system subject, not an infrastructure one: roads, railways, ports, water and telecommunications would each need a global series this site does not hold. Emissions are under Environment & Sustainability. Access to electricity is published here in full but takes no part in any ranking — more than half the world’s countries now report 100%, and a position derived from that would read “1, 1, 1 … 123”, which is noise rather than information.
How the Energy standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The energy method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Carbon Intensity of Electricity — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- Renewable Share of Electricity Generation — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- World Energy Trilemma Index — World Energy Council, Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
The other 25 statistics on this page come from 8 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
France’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- France (banner) — Tobi 87 derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bhutan — VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Uganda — Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). France: Energy — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/france/energy