TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In a world where nations compete to be at the forefront of groundbreaking innovation, clean energy is among the fields that best showcase a country’s scientific capability. Few technologies depict this better than nuclear reactors, devices designed to control nuclear chain reactions.

Nicknamed “Chicago Pile-1,” the first nuclear reactor was built by a US-based team as a part of the top-secret Manhattan Project in 1942. The project, conducted in a squash court under the stands of Stagg Field at the University of Chicago, initially aimed to create a controlled nuclear chain reaction, which was a crucial step in proving that an atomic bomb could be built. It involved prominent scientists such as Arthur Holly Compton, Enrico Fermi, and Leo Szilard, and ultimately reshaped the future of nuclear technology.

Today, however, a different nation leads the field. The U.S. is no longer at the forefront, as China now leads the ranking of countries with the most nuclear reactors, according to the latest data from Visual Capitalist.

China accounts for 37 of the reactors currently under construction globally, representing roughly 42.9 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity. This figure is also more than six times the capacity being built in either India or Russia, countries that rank just one place behind.

As the Nuclear Business Platform reports, China’s bold global position has been bolstered by well-rounded government support, advanced technology, and strategic international partnerships. This foundation has enabled China to accelerate its nuclear development, ultimately supporting efforts to achieve Xi Jinping’s goal of carbon neutrality by mid-century through nuclear power.

Meanwhile, India and Russia share second place, with 5.2 GW and 4.2 GW of capacity under construction, respectively. From there, the numbers among countries with the most nuclear reactors continue to drop off, with Egypt and Turkey each having just four reactors currently underway.

Here is the full list of countries with the most nuclear reactors, according to Visual Capitalist.

List of Countries with the Most Nuclear Reactors

1. China - 37 nuclear reactors

2. India - 6 nuclear reactors

3. Russia - 6 nuclear reactors

4. Egypt - 4 nuclear reactors

5. Turkey - 4 nuclear reactors

6. South Korea - 3 nuclear reactors

7. Bangladesh - 2 nuclear reactors

8. Japan - 2 nuclear reactors

9. Ukraine - 2 nuclear reactors

10. United Kingdom - 2 nuclear reactors

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