France is a high-income country in Europe and Central Asia with 68.7 million people, most of them living in cities. Heat makes up 42% of the energy it uses, below the world average of about 47%.
Natural gas is the largest source of heat (49%), followed by wood and other biomass (21%). In total, 73% of the heat comes from coal, oil and gas. Electricity, apart from household heating, makes up 21% of energy use and is generated mainly from nuclear power (64%).
The country
| Population | 68.7 million2025 |
|---|---|
| GDP per capita | US$ 49,0002025 |
| Area | 606,400 km²2024 |
| Urban population | 79%2025 |
| Access to electricity | 100%2024 |
| Access to clean cooking | 100%2024 |
| Final energy use | 1,470 TWh2023 |
Where the energy goes
- Heat42%
- Electricity21%
- Transport37%
Heat in five numbers
| Heatshare of all final energy use | 42% |
|---|---|
| Fossil heatshare of heat that comes from coal, oil and gas | 73% |
| Natural gasthe largest single source of heat | 49% |
| Electricityshare of final energy use, excluding transport and household heating | 21% |
| Fossil electricityshare of electricity generated from coal, oil and gas | 7% |
Heat is all fuel and district heating used in industry, buildings and agriculture, plus the electricity households use for heating, hot water and cooking. Electricity that becomes heat in offices and industry is counted as electricity, so the true heat share is somewhat higher. Fossil heat and the largest source are shares of the fuel and district heating part.
Russia
Germany
Türkiye
United Kingdom
Italy
Spain
Poland
Kazakhstan