What Percentage of the Population Has Access to a Shelter During War or Nuclear Attack? [2025 Report]
Introduction
With increasing geopolitical tensions and the looming threat of conventional and nuclear conflicts, a crucial question arises:
“Will I have access to a shelter in case of an attack?”
Governments across Europe are reevaluating their civil defense infrastructure. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of how many people can realistically expect access to protective shelters in Poland and other European countries.
Poland – A Civil Defense Gap
Current Data (2024–2025):
- Proper fallout shelters in Poland (sealed, filtered, reinforced): only 903–1,903 structures, offering protection for about 250,000–300,000 people.
That means only 0.6–0.8% of Poland’s population is protected by nuclear-grade shelters.
In the event of a nuclear strike, over 99% of Polish citizens would lack access to effective protection.
Sources: Polish State Fire Service (PSP), Ministry of Interior and Administration, architectural and defense reports (2024).
Europe – Shelter Access Compared
| Country | % of Population Covered by Proper Shelters | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Poland | ~0.8% | No legal shelter-building requirement since the 1990s |
| Germany | ~0.5% currently, goal: 1.2% by 2026 | Restoration of Cold War shelters underway |
| Czech Republic | ~4% | Better-preserved civil defense infrastructure |
| Norway | ~47% | Civil defense shelters required for public buildings |
| Finland | 85% | Mandatory shelter construction in buildings over 1,200 m² |
| Switzerland | 114% | Every citizen guaranteed a shelter space |
Sources: WHO, NATO Civil Protection Review 2023, national civil defense agencies.
What Actually Counts as a Nuclear Shelter?
A proper nuclear fallout shelter must:
- Be airtight and pressure-resistant, protecting against blast waves, radiation, and fallout
- Have filtered ventilation systems, independent power, and at least 72 hours of supplies
- Be structurally reinforced and preferably underground
In Poland, only a few hundred such shelters exist – primarily in military, industrial, or high-security government facilities.
Why Are So Few Shelters Available?
Key reasons:
- No shelter construction mandates in Polish building law since the 1990s
- Dismantling of civil defense systems after 1997
- Neglect and decay of Cold War-era shelters – often sealed, flooded, or used for storage
- Lack of public awareness and preparedness culture
What Can Be Done Today?
For Government:
- Reinstate civil defense obligations in urban planning and building codes
- Support municipalities in auditing and restoring existing shelters
- Launch a public awareness campaign about emergency preparedness
For Citizens:
- Locate the nearest available public shelter
- Consider building a private home shelter
- Equip existing basements with basic survival infrastructure: water, food, light, and manual ventilation
Summary – Key Figures
- Poland: less than 1% of citizens are covered by nuclear-grade shelters
- Finland and Switzerland: over 80%–100% of citizens have proper protection
- In the event of a nuclear or chemical attack, the vast majority of the population in Central and Eastern Europe would be exposed and unprotected
Final Thoughts
- Poland ranks among the lowest in Europe in terms of civil protection infrastructure
- Even a limited conflict would leave tens of millions of people without shelter
- As Finland and Switzerland demonstrate, it is possible to build a robust national shelter system – but only with clear laws, funding, and civic awareness