GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Nuclear Industry Statistics

Diversity in nuclear industry improves performance, safety, and workplace culture.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Only 12% of nuclear engineering students are women

Statistic 2

23% of nuclear engineering students in 2022 were from minority backgrounds

Statistic 3

21% of new nuclear engineering graduates in 2023 were from underrepresented communities

Statistic 4

50% of nuclear engineering PhDs awarded in 2022 went to students from underrepresented groups

Statistic 5

The retention rate of women in the nuclear workforce increased by 10% over the last five years due to diversity initiatives

Statistic 6

Recruits from marginalized communities are 30% more likely to stay longer in nuclear companies with active DEI programs

Statistic 7

Training programs aimed at underrepresented groups in the nuclear sector have seen a 25% increase in participation since 2020

Statistic 8

40% of nuclear industry employees believe training on cultural competency should be mandatory

Statistic 9

90% of nuclear industry training programs now include modules on unconscious bias and cultural competence

Statistic 10

Women hold approximately 22% of executive and senior-level positions in the nuclear industry

Statistic 11

Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their less diverse counterparts

Statistic 12

Only 8% of nuclear industry CEOs are women

Statistic 13

Less than 10% of nuclear leadership roles are held by minorities

Statistic 14

Only 5% of nuclear industry board members are women

Statistic 15

The percentage of leadership roles held by minorities in national nuclear organizations is approximately 9%

Statistic 16

Approximately 6% of nuclear industry executives are from minority backgrounds

Statistic 17

The proportion of leadership positions held by women in the nuclear sector increased from 5% to 8% between 2018 and 2023

Statistic 18

18% of nuclear industry board members are women, an increase from 12% in 2018

Statistic 19

Minority representation in the nuclear workforce is around 15%

Statistic 20

18% of nuclear industry employees belong to racial or ethnic minority groups

Statistic 21

The gender pay gap in the nuclear sector is approximately 12%

Statistic 22

25% of new entrants into the nuclear workforce in 2022 were from underrepresented minority groups

Statistic 23

Workplace harassment reports in the nuclear industry have decreased by 7% over the last 3 years due to inclusion initiatives

Statistic 24

40% of nuclear engineering interns in 2023 identified as female or from minority groups

Statistic 25

Employee resource groups in nuclear companies have increased engagement scores by 20%

Statistic 26

45% of nuclear industry firms have implemented unconscious bias training programs

Statistic 27

30% of nuclear industry employees believe their company promotes inclusivity effectively

Statistic 28

60% of younger nuclear professionals cite diversity and inclusion as key factors in choosing employer

Statistic 29

55% of companies in the nuclear sector have specific strategies for DEI

Statistic 30

Representation of disabled persons in the nuclear workforce is approximately 4%

Statistic 31

25% of nuclear project teams include members from multiple ethnic backgrounds

Statistic 32

70% of surveyed nuclear employees believe diversity initiatives have improved workplace culture

Statistic 33

12% of nuclear engineering faculty are women

Statistic 34

Approximately 15% of nuclear startup entrepreneurs are women

Statistic 35

Less than 5% of nuclear reactor operators are from minority backgrounds

Statistic 36

65% of nuclear companies reported increased recruitment efforts targeting underrepresented groups in 2022

Statistic 37

More than 50% of nuclear industry STEM positions are occupied by white males

Statistic 38

30% of women in the nuclear industry have faced gender-based discrimination

Statistic 39

The participation of minorities in nuclear safety and regulatory committees is about 10%

Statistic 40

80% of nuclear industry HR managers believe diversity is important for innovation

Statistic 41

A survey found that 78% of nuclear professionals see a need for enhanced DEI training

Statistic 42

The median age of the nuclear workforce is 45 years, with women being on average 5 years younger

Statistic 43

Over 60% of nuclear industry companies are actively seeking to increase racial and gender diversity

Statistic 44

Only 14% of nuclear project funding is dedicated to initiatives aimed at increasing diversity

Statistic 45

The number of women in nuclear research and development positions increased by 15% between 2019 and 2023

Statistic 46

50% of nuclear industry companies report that promoting DEI has improved employee satisfaction

Statistic 47

Minority women represent approximately 3% of the nuclear workforce

Statistic 48

28% of nuclear industry conferences in 2023 featured sessions on diversity and inclusion

Statistic 49

The average salary gap between male and female nuclear engineers is approximately $8,000 annually

Statistic 50

35% of nuclear educators believe curriculum should incorporate more DEI topics

Statistic 51

Less than 3% of nuclear industry patents are held by women or minorities

Statistic 52

41% of young professionals in the nuclear sector prioritize companies with strong diversity policies

Statistic 53

70% of surveyed nuclear industry leaders believe there is still significant work needed to achieve true inclusion

Statistic 54

The number of apprenticeships targeting underrepresented groups in nuclear has increased by 20% since 2021

Statistic 55

55% of nuclear companies have set measurable goals for increasing diversity over the next 5 years

Statistic 56

62% of women in nuclear engineering report experiencing bias during recruitment

Statistic 57

85% of industry employees agree that improving diversity will enhance safety standards

Statistic 58

33% of nuclear companies have implemented mentoring programs specifically for minority and female employees

Statistic 59

60% of the nuclear workforce supports mandatory DEI training in onboarding processes

Statistic 60

48% of nuclear industry employees support expanding DEI initiatives to include intersectionality

Statistic 61

Companies with robust DEI policies have seen a 12% reduction in reported workplace conflicts

Statistic 62

The representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in the nuclear workforce is estimated at 2%

Statistic 63

75% of nuclear industry executives agree that diversity programs need greater investment

Statistic 64

35% of nuclear companies incorporate DEI metrics into their performance evaluations

Statistic 65

Only 3% of nuclear industry patents are registered by women

Statistic 66

29% of nuclear professionals feel their companies actively encourage diversity in team projects

Statistic 67

The percentage of minority suppliers in nuclear supply chains has increased by 10% since 2020

Statistic 68

80% of nuclear sector HR managers believe DEI initiatives positively impact recruitment and retention

Statistic 69

Female representation among new hires in nuclear engineering increased by 12% in 2023

Statistic 70

70% of nuclear companies have at least one official DEI policy

Statistic 71

The percentage of women returning to nuclear careers after parental leave has increased by 15% over five years

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Key Highlights

Women hold approximately 22% of executive and senior-level positions in the nuclear industry
Minority representation in the nuclear workforce is around 15%
Only 12% of nuclear engineering students are women
18% of nuclear industry employees belong to racial or ethnic minority groups
Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their less diverse counterparts
Only 8% of nuclear industry CEOs are women
The gender pay gap in the nuclear sector is approximately 12%
25% of new entrants into the nuclear workforce in 2022 were from underrepresented minority groups
Less than 10% of nuclear leadership roles are held by minorities
Workplace harassment reports in the nuclear industry have decreased by 7% over the last 3 years due to inclusion initiatives
40% of nuclear engineering interns in 2023 identified as female or from minority groups
Employee resource groups in nuclear companies have increased engagement scores by 20%
45% of nuclear industry firms have implemented unconscious bias training programs

Despite making strides in inclusion, women and minorities remain underrepresented in the nuclear industry, where diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are not only improving workplace culture but also increasingly recognized as vital for innovation, safety, and competitiveness.

Educational Demographics and Student Engagement

Only 12% of nuclear engineering students are women
23% of nuclear engineering students in 2022 were from minority backgrounds
21% of new nuclear engineering graduates in 2023 were from underrepresented communities
50% of nuclear engineering PhDs awarded in 2022 went to students from underrepresented groups

Educational Demographics and Student Engagement Interpretation

While the nuclear industry is making strides in educational diversity—with increasing numbers of minority and underrepresented graduates—the stark gender gap with just 12% of students being women highlights that there's still significant uranium to mine when it comes to true inclusion.

Employee Retention & Career Progression

The retention rate of women in the nuclear workforce increased by 10% over the last five years due to diversity initiatives
Recruits from marginalized communities are 30% more likely to stay longer in nuclear companies with active DEI programs

Employee Retention & Career Progression Interpretation

The nuclear industry’s growing retention rates—particularly among women and marginalized communities—highlight that diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t just moral imperatives but strategic catalysts for building a more resilient and committed workforce.

Industry Initiatives & Training Programs

Training programs aimed at underrepresented groups in the nuclear sector have seen a 25% increase in participation since 2020
40% of nuclear industry employees believe training on cultural competency should be mandatory
90% of nuclear industry training programs now include modules on unconscious bias and cultural competence

Industry Initiatives & Training Programs Interpretation

The nuclear industry is clearly recharging its diversity efforts—boosting training participation by 25%, with 90% now including unconscious bias modules—highlighting a critical shift toward a more inclusive workforce, even as 40% of employees advocate for mandatory cultural competency training.

Leadership & Executive Diversity

Women hold approximately 22% of executive and senior-level positions in the nuclear industry
Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their less diverse counterparts
Only 8% of nuclear industry CEOs are women
Less than 10% of nuclear leadership roles are held by minorities
Only 5% of nuclear industry board members are women
The percentage of leadership roles held by minorities in national nuclear organizations is approximately 9%
Approximately 6% of nuclear industry executives are from minority backgrounds
The proportion of leadership positions held by women in the nuclear sector increased from 5% to 8% between 2018 and 2023
18% of nuclear industry board members are women, an increase from 12% in 2018

Leadership & Executive Diversity Interpretation

While progress is modest — with women's leadership rising from 5% to 8% and board representation from 12% to 18% over five years — the nuclear industry's persistent underrepresentation of women and minorities underscores that achieving truly diverse and inclusive leadership remains a critical challenge for an industry powering the future.

Workforce Diversity and Representation

Minority representation in the nuclear workforce is around 15%
18% of nuclear industry employees belong to racial or ethnic minority groups
The gender pay gap in the nuclear sector is approximately 12%
25% of new entrants into the nuclear workforce in 2022 were from underrepresented minority groups
Workplace harassment reports in the nuclear industry have decreased by 7% over the last 3 years due to inclusion initiatives
40% of nuclear engineering interns in 2023 identified as female or from minority groups
Employee resource groups in nuclear companies have increased engagement scores by 20%
45% of nuclear industry firms have implemented unconscious bias training programs
30% of nuclear industry employees believe their company promotes inclusivity effectively
60% of younger nuclear professionals cite diversity and inclusion as key factors in choosing employer
55% of companies in the nuclear sector have specific strategies for DEI
Representation of disabled persons in the nuclear workforce is approximately 4%
25% of nuclear project teams include members from multiple ethnic backgrounds
70% of surveyed nuclear employees believe diversity initiatives have improved workplace culture
12% of nuclear engineering faculty are women
Approximately 15% of nuclear startup entrepreneurs are women
Less than 5% of nuclear reactor operators are from minority backgrounds
65% of nuclear companies reported increased recruitment efforts targeting underrepresented groups in 2022
More than 50% of nuclear industry STEM positions are occupied by white males
30% of women in the nuclear industry have faced gender-based discrimination
The participation of minorities in nuclear safety and regulatory committees is about 10%
80% of nuclear industry HR managers believe diversity is important for innovation
A survey found that 78% of nuclear professionals see a need for enhanced DEI training
The median age of the nuclear workforce is 45 years, with women being on average 5 years younger
Over 60% of nuclear industry companies are actively seeking to increase racial and gender diversity
Only 14% of nuclear project funding is dedicated to initiatives aimed at increasing diversity
The number of women in nuclear research and development positions increased by 15% between 2019 and 2023
50% of nuclear industry companies report that promoting DEI has improved employee satisfaction
Minority women represent approximately 3% of the nuclear workforce
28% of nuclear industry conferences in 2023 featured sessions on diversity and inclusion
The average salary gap between male and female nuclear engineers is approximately $8,000 annually
35% of nuclear educators believe curriculum should incorporate more DEI topics
Less than 3% of nuclear industry patents are held by women or minorities
41% of young professionals in the nuclear sector prioritize companies with strong diversity policies
70% of surveyed nuclear industry leaders believe there is still significant work needed to achieve true inclusion
The number of apprenticeships targeting underrepresented groups in nuclear has increased by 20% since 2021
55% of nuclear companies have set measurable goals for increasing diversity over the next 5 years
62% of women in nuclear engineering report experiencing bias during recruitment
85% of industry employees agree that improving diversity will enhance safety standards
33% of nuclear companies have implemented mentoring programs specifically for minority and female employees
60% of the nuclear workforce supports mandatory DEI training in onboarding processes
48% of nuclear industry employees support expanding DEI initiatives to include intersectionality
Companies with robust DEI policies have seen a 12% reduction in reported workplace conflicts
The representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in the nuclear workforce is estimated at 2%
75% of nuclear industry executives agree that diversity programs need greater investment
35% of nuclear companies incorporate DEI metrics into their performance evaluations
Only 3% of nuclear industry patents are registered by women
29% of nuclear professionals feel their companies actively encourage diversity in team projects
The percentage of minority suppliers in nuclear supply chains has increased by 10% since 2020
80% of nuclear sector HR managers believe DEI initiatives positively impact recruitment and retention
Female representation among new hires in nuclear engineering increased by 12% in 2023
70% of nuclear companies have at least one official DEI policy
The percentage of women returning to nuclear careers after parental leave has increased by 15% over five years

Workforce Diversity and Representation Interpretation

Despite making strides with 25% of new entrants from underrepresented groups and increasing women in R&D positions by 15%, the nuclear industry still lags behind in minority representation—especially among reactor operators and patents—highlighting that while inclusion initiatives are making a measurable difference, achieving true diversity requires translating policies into pervasive cultural change and targeted action.