The WPC Energy Global Youth Survey 2026 reports that 65% of respondents favour maintaining conventional energy resources while expanding cleaner energy. Meanwhile, 72% intend to remain in the energy sector for at least another decade. The findings, scheduled for discussion at the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh, combine long-term career commitment with questions about meaningful participation in decisions.

Investment balance and career commitment

Alongside the balanced approach, 18% support aggressive investment in renewables and low-carbon solutions, while 15% favour refocusing on conventional resources to prioritise energy security. These percentages describe survey respondents, rather than a representative estimate of the views of all young people.

On careers, 72% agreed that they intended to stay in energy for ten years or more; 17% were neutral and 11% disagreed. This offers a separate measure of participants’ commitment to the sector alongside their preferred investment strategy.

A gap between presence and influence

Only 48% agreed that young professionals have a meaningful say in important decisions, compared with 24% who disagreed and 28% who were neutral. This indicator measures influence rather than willingness to stay in the industry, highlighting decision-making participation as a question for sector leaders.

Reading the results in context

The seventh edition drew on more than 1,200 respondents in 62 countries. Responses were collected voluntarily between October 2025 and February 2026. Some 68% worked in energy and 78% were under 35. Regional representation was calibrated against energy-employment data, but the methodology acknowledges possible self-selection bias. The findings should therefore not be generalised to all young people globally or in Saudi Arabia.

The official congress programme schedules a survey session on 14 October from 12:45 to 13:45 Riyadh time. This article reports the available research; it does not assume that the session has taken place or produced additional findings.

Official report: findings and methodology · Official congress programme.

Image: an illustrative photograph from the official WPC Energy media library, reused for its relevance to young professionals. It does not depict survey respondents or the 14 October session.