Fission and friction: A systematic review of individual-level determinants of attitudes toward nuclear energy in advanced economies

Nuclear energy is re-emerging in national decarbonization and energy-security debates, with energy strategy decisions increasingly influenced by public perceptions and societal feedback. This article presents an updated systematic review of research on factors shaping individual attitudes toward nuclear energy in advanced economies (G7 countries, Russia, and China) from 2010 to 2025. Drawing on established theories of nuclear risk perception, it synthesizes evidence on how risk perception, institutional trust, knowledge, values, and socio-demographic factors influence nuclear acceptance. Two determinants emerge as consistently robust: institutional trust and risk perception. Higher trust in regulatory authorities, governments, and industry operators is associated with greater acceptance, while heightened perceptions of safety, health, or waste risks remain the main barriers. Knowledge and demographic factors generally have modest, context-dependent effects, often mediated by values and trust. Major external shocks, such as nuclear accidents, amplify risk salience. By synthesizing this research, the article provides a nuanced understanding of the drivers of individual attitudes toward nuclear energy and discusses their political implications for governance and communication. • AI-assisted systematic review of 70 studies on nuclear energy attitudes in advanced economies • Literature highlights three dominant models: bounded rationality, institutional trust, and the knowledge deficit model • Institutional trust and risk perception are the primary drivers of public acceptance, outweighing demographics and knowledge • Public opinion is dynamic, shifting in response to external events and contextual factors • Political implications: build trust through procedural justice and deliberation, not just information