2.1. The fifth nuclear power plant

As the question is concretised to concern the building of the fifth nuclear power plant, which was specifically asked with a question in the statement form, very similar results are received as above. About one third of the people (32%) consider that the fifth nuclear power plant should be built, and a little less than a half (47%) reject the idea.

The distribution is more unfavourable towards nuclear power than a year before but similar to the situation two years earlier. On the whole, the factual changes in acceptance levels have been relatively minor since 1994 when we consider the relation between the percentages of those favouring and opposing nuclear power [figure 3.].

2.2. Differences in attitudes between population groups

Differences between population groups in their attitudes towards the fifth nuclear power plant are great, in the same way as before. There is distinctly more understanding for nuclear power among men (45% support it) than among women (17%).

Attitudes towards nuclear grow more positive almost rectilinearly with increasing age of the respondents. Today, this type of age correlation is more visible than in the results of previous years, i.e. younger age groups are more opposed to nuclear power. If the trend continues, it means that the support for nuclear power is based primarily on greater acceptance of this energy form among older age-groups [figure 4.].

As to the professional and social groups, people in a leading position, professional people and entrepreneurs have the most positive attitude towards nuclear power. Politically, the supporters of the Coalition Party (63%) are distinctly more positive about nuclear power than the others. Among the supporters of the Social Democratic Party a new nuclear unit has a significant amount of acceptance. In the same way as before, the supporters of the Green Party (84% opposing) have the most negative attitude towards nuclear power. Regionally, the most positive attitudes are found in the province of Uusimaa.

In the municipalities where nuclear power plants are already located, the population is clearly more positive about the building of additional nuclear power capacity than elsewhere in the country – in the same way as in the studies of the earlier years. Supporters of the fifth nuclear power plant constitute a majority both in Loviisa (60%) and in Eurajoki (54%).