The consumption of natural gas in the European Union has fluctuated since 1998. It increased to a peak of 423.2 billion cubic meters in 2010, but by 2022 had fallen to around 319.5 billion cubic meters. Natural gas consumption in the EU was only lower than oil consumption, despite the overall decrease. Production of natural gas in decline Although the consumption of natural gas is expected to increase across the region, production in the EU has fallen significantly over the past two decades. By 2021 had fallen by approximately 81 percent. EU reliant on Russian exports With the production of natural gas in decline, the EU is expected to become more reliant on international imports. Overall, there was a six percent increase of imports in 2019 when compared to the previous year. Currently, the main exporter of gas to the EU is Russia, who in 2017 exported 39 percent of all imports. Plans for a 746-mile gas pipeline from Russia to Germany in the Baltic Sea are set to go ahead. The Nord Stream 2 project has received critics from the US and EU over fears it will increase Europe’s reliance on gas imports from Russia.

In 2023, Sweden was the European Union member with the highest household natural gas price for an annual consumption of 20 to 200 gigajoules (GJ), at 21.3 euro cents per kilowatt-hour. It was followed by the Netherlands, also with almost 20 euro cents per kilowatt-hour. On the other hand, Hungary had the lowest household natural gas price, at roughly 3.4 euro cents per kilowatt-hour. At that time, Sweden also had the highest industrial natural gas price, for an annual consumption above 100 thousand gigajoules.

European Union Natural Gas Inland Consumption: EU 27 data was reported at 53,779.000 Cub m mn in Dec 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 49,255.000 Cub m mn for Nov 2019. European Union Natural Gas Inland Consumption: EU 27 data is updated monthly, averaging 36,173.500 Cub m mn from Jan 2014 (Median) to Dec 2019, with 72 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 67,421.000 Cub m mn in Jan 2017 and a record low of 22,448.000 Cub m mn in Aug 2015. European Union Natural Gas Inland Consumption: EU 27 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Eurostat. The data is categorized under Global Database’s European Union – Table EU.RB013: Natural Gas Supply and Consumption: by Cubic Meter.

European gas consumption declined to 15 exajoules in 2015 but increased to 17 exajoules by 2018. Between 2025 and 2050, figures are forecasted to decline in all scenarios. In 2050, gas consumption in Europe is expected to reach five exajoules in the net zero scenario and 13 exajoules in the business-as-usual scenario.

This table contains figures on the supply and consumption of energy broken down by sector and by energy commodity. The energy supply is equal to the indigenous production of energy plus the receipts minus the deliveries of energy plus the stock changes. Consumption of energy is equal to the sum of own use, distribution losses, final energy consumption, non-energy use and the total net energy transformation. For each sector, the supply of energy is equal to the consumption of energy.

For some energy commodities, the total of the observed domestic deliveries is not exactly equal to the sum of the observed domestic receipts. For these energy commodities, a statistical difference arises that can not be attributed to a sector.

The breakdown into sectors follows mainly the classification as is customary in international energy statistics. This classification is based on functions of various sectors in the energy system and for several break downs on the international Standard Industrial Classification (SIC). There are two main sectors: the energy sector (companies with main activity indigenous production or transformation of energy) and energy consumers (other companies, vehicles and dwellings). In addition to a breakdown by sector, there is also a breakdown by energy commodity, such as coal, various petroleum products, natural gas, renewable energy, electricity and heat and other energy commodities like non renewable waste.

The definitions used in this table are exactly in line with the definitions in the Energy Balance table; supply, transformation and consumption. That table does not contain a breakdown by sector (excluding final energy consumption), but it does provide information about imports, exports and bunkering and also provides more detail about the energy commodities.

Data available: From: 1990.

Status of the figures: Figures up to and including 2022 are definite. Figures for 2023 are revised provisional.

Changes as of March 17th 2025: For all reporting years the underlying code for 'Total crudes, fossil fraction' and 'Total kerosene, fossiel fraction' is adjusted. Figures have not been changed.

Changes as of November 15th 2024: The structure of the table has been adjusted. The adjustment concerns the division into sectors, with the aluminum industry now being distinguished separately within the non-ferrous metal sector. This table has also been revised for 2015 to 2021 as a result of new methods that have also been applied for 2022 and 2023. This concerns the following components: final energy consumption of LPG, distribution of final energy consumption of motor gasoline, sector classification of gas oil/diesel within the services and transfer of energy consumption of the nuclear industry from industry to the energy sector. The natural gas consumption of the wood and wood products industry has also been improved so that it is more comparable over time. This concerns changes of a maximum of a few PJ.

Changes as of June 7th 2024: Revised provisional figures of 2023 have been added.

Changes as of April 26th of 2024 The energy balance has been revised for 2015 and later on a limited number of points. The most important is the following: 1. For solid biomass and municipal waste, the most recent data have been included. Furthermore data were affected by integration with figures for a new, yet to be published StatLine table on the supply of solid biomass. As a result, there are some changes in receipts of energy, deliveries of energy and indigenous production of biomass of a maximum of a few PJ. 2. In the case of natural gas, an improvement has been made in the processing of data for stored LNG, which causes a shift between stock changes, receipts of energy and deliveries of energy of a maximum of a few PJ.

Changes as of March 25th of 2024: The energy balance has been revised and restructured. This concerns mainly the following: 1. Different way of dealing with biofuels that have been mixed with fossil fuels 2. A breakdown of the natural gas balance of agriculture into greenhouse horticulture and other agriculture. 3. Final consumption of electricity in services

1. Blended biofuels Previously, biofuels mixed with fossil fuels were counted as petroleum crude and products. In the new energy balance, blended biofuels count for renewable energy and petroleum crude and products and the underlying products (such as gasoline, diesel and kerosene) only count the fossil part of mixtures of fossil and biogenic fuels. To make this clear, the names of the energy commodities have been changed. The consequence of this adjustment is that part of the energy has been moved from petroleum to renewable. The energy balance remains the same for total energy commodities. The aim of this adjustment is to make the increasing role of blended biofuels in the Energy Balance visible and to better align with the Energy Balances published by Eurostat and the International Energy Agency. Within renewable energy, biomass, liquid biomass is now a separate energy commodity. This concerns both pure and blended biofuels.

2. Greenhouse horticulture separately The energy consumption of agriculture in the Netherlands largely takes place in greenhouse horticulture. There is therefore a lot of attention for this sector and the need for separate data on energy consumption in greenhouse horticulture. To meet this need, the agriculture sector has been divided into two subsectors: Greenhouse horticulture and other agriculture. For the time being, we only publish separate natural gas figures for greenhouse horticulture.

3. Higher final consumption of electricity in services in 2021 and 2022. The way in which electric road transport is treated has improved, resulting in an increase in the supply and final consumption of electricity in services by more than 2 PJ in 2021 and 2022. This also works through the supply of electricity in sector H (Transport and storage).

Changes as of November 14th 2023: Figures for 2021 and 2022 haven been adjusted. Figures for the Energy Balance for 2015 to 2020 have been revised regarding the following items: - For 2109 and 2020 final consumption of heat in agriculture is a few PJ lower and for services a few PJ higher. This is the result of improved interpretation of available data in supply of heat to agriculture. - During the production of geothermal heat by agriculture natural gas is produced as by-product. Now this is included in the energy balance. The amount increased from 0,2 PJ in 2015 to 0,7 PJ in 2020. - There are some improvements in the data for heat in industry with a magnitude of about 1 PJ or smaller. - There some other improvements, also about 1 PJ or smaller.

Changes as of June 15th 2023: Revised provisional figures of 2022 have been added.

Changes as of December 15th 2022: Figures for 1990 up to and including 2019 have been revised. The revision mainly concerns the consumption of gas- and diesel oil and energy commodities higher in the classification (total petroleum products, total crude and petroleum produtcs and total energy commodities). The revision is twofold: - New data for the consumption of diesel oil in mobile machine have been incorporated. Consequently, the final energy consumption of gas- and diesel oil in construction, services and agriculture increases. The biggest change is in construction (+10 PJ from 1990-2015, decreasing to 1 PJ in 2019. In agriculture the change is about 0.5-1.5 PJ from 2010 onwards and for services the change is between 0 and 3 PJ for the whole period. - The method for dealing with the statistical difference has been adapted. Earlier from 2013 onwards a difference of about 3 percent was assumed, matching old data (up to and including 2012) on final consumption of diesel for road transport based on the dedicated tax specifically for road that existed until 2012. In the new method the statistical difference is eliminated from 2015 onwards. Final consumption of road transport is calculated as the remainder of total supply to the market of diesel minus deliveries to users other than road transport. The first and second item affect both final consumption of road transport that decreases consequently about 5 percent from 2015 onwards. Before the adaption of the tax system for gas- and diesel oil in 2013 the statistical difference was positive (more supply than consumption). With the new data for mobile machines total consumption has been increased and the statistical difference has been reduced and is even negative for a few years.

Changes as of 1 March 2022: Figures for 1990 up to and including 2020 have been revised. The most important change is a different way of presenting own use of electricity of power-generating installations. Previously, this was regarded as electricity and CHP transformation input. From now on, this is seen as own use, as is customary in international energy statistics. As a result, the input and net energy transformation decrease and own use increases, on average about 15 PJ per year. Final consumers also have power generating installations. That's why final consumers now also have own use, previously this was not so. In the previous revision of 2021, the new sector blast furnaces was introduced for the years 2015 up to and including 2020, which describes the transformation of coke oven coke and coking coal into blast furnace gas that takes place in the production of pig iron from iron ore. This activity was previously part of the steel industry. With this revision, the change has been put back to 1990.

When will new figures be published? Revised provisional figures: June/July of the following year. Definite figures: December of the second following year.

European Union Energy Consumption: EU 27E: ow: Oil & Gas Extraction data was reported at 2,253.535 TOE th in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2,415.787 TOE th for 2022. European Union Energy Consumption: EU 27E: ow: Oil & Gas Extraction data is updated yearly, averaging 3,358.555 TOE th from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2023, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5,600.063 TOE th in 1997 and a record low of 2,253.535 TOE th in 2023. European Union Energy Consumption: EU 27E: ow: Oil & Gas Extraction data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Eurostat. The data is categorized under Global Database’s European Union – Table EU.RB003: Energy Consumption.

The consumption volume of natural gas in the European Union (EU) amounted to 34 billion cubic meters (bcm) in March 2023. The pattern shows that the monthly natural gas consumption in the EU is highest in the colder months December and January, and lower during warmer months as spring and summer approach. However, the EU's natural gas consumption in December 2022 and January 2023 was much lower compared to previous years.

Germany has the largest import volume of natural gas among European countries. In 2022, Germany bought roughly 87.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas from outside trading partners. This was followed by Italy, which imported 72.6 billion cubic meters worth. That year, overall natural gas imports into the region increased as economic activity in many countries recovered. Where is natural gas imported from? Natural gas may be imported either in its gaseous state via pipelines or as LNG (liquefied natural gas). The European continent has primarily relied on imports via pipelines from large producing neighbors such as Russia. However, with the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war and sanctions imposed on Russian energy imports, supply routes have shifted. Although Russian gas dependence remains high, particularly in Eastern European countries, expansion of LNG infrastructure has allowed for Europe to become the main destination for LNG from the United States. Within the span of one year, LNG imports from the U.S. had doubled in multiple European countries. Production declines as consumption remains high The European Union’s production of natural gas has been in decline for decades, and by 2022 fell to a low of 41 billion cubic meters. In comparison, natural gas consumption remains comparatively high, with the fossil fuel largely used for heating, electricity generation, and industrial purposes.

Gas consumption - Sales by sector.

Numbers broken down into: domestic consumers, commercial and industrial consumers, all consumers and sales per consumer.

Power station usage is not included.

Data for Middle Super Output Areas (MSOA) available.

Estimates of gas consumption at local authority levels using data at meter-point level from the re-structured gas distribution network.

The methodology for collecting the data changed in 2004. The older series are based on the National Grid's postcode sales.

Domestic includes customers with an annual consumption of 73,200 kWh or lower which will include some small industrial and commercial consumers.

See more on the DECC website.

The Gas Utilities industry in Europe has been anything but steady recently. The Russia-Ukraine war has rocked the whole supply chain, with Russia tightening its gas supply, Europe hustling to cut its reliance on Russian gas and gas prices shooting up following the initial invasion. Amid unprecedented price increases and threats to the supply of gas into Europe, European governments have been forced to step in to support customers and protect energy supplies. All that aside, the industry remains threatened by a long-term decline in gas consumption and accelerating efforts to transition to renewable sources of energy. Revenue is forecast to drop at a compound annual rate of 1.7% over the five years through 2024, reaching €390.5 billion. This growth is almost solely attributable to a spike in revenue recorded during 2022, which followed a recovery from pandemic-induced lows during 2021 when prices and demand recovered as global economic activity rebounded. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine kicked off a period of significant disruption in energy markets, with a surge in gas prices leading to record revenue and profitability for gas manufacturers while causing substantial losses for gas suppliers. Wholesale prices have eased from record highs as European governments have reduced reliance on Russian gas. At the same time, a drop in demand for gas has also contributed to a revenue contraction since the height of the energy crisis. Revenue is set to decline by 5.4% in 2024. Revenue is forecast to increase at a compound annual rate of 1% to €410.7 billion over the five years through 2029. European markets are set to pursue a green revolution in the coming years, with investment in renewable energy sources gathering pace as European governments strive towards emissions reduction targets. Investment in green alternatives to natural gas is likely to lead to a fall in demand, with plans set out by the European Commission to at least triple solar thermal capacity by 2030, displacing the consumption of nine billion cubic metres of gas annually. Gas prices are forecast to continue to rise until 2025, as Europe diversifies its gas supplies, before falling rapidly as renewable generation capacity rises.

European Union Natural Gas Inland Consumption: EU 27E data was reported at 40,870.500 Cub m mn in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 45,121.743 Cub m mn for Jan 2025. European Union Natural Gas Inland Consumption: EU 27E data is updated monthly, averaging 29,781.636 Cub m mn from Jan 2014 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 134 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 57,614.400 Cub m mn in Jan 2017 and a record low of 17,597.781 Cub m mn in Aug 2024. European Union Natural Gas Inland Consumption: EU 27E data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Eurostat. The data is categorized under Global Database’s European Union – Table EU.RB013: Natural Gas Supply and Consumption: by Cubic Meter. [COVID-19-IMPACT]

The European gas market, valued at approximately €[Estimate based on available market size XX and currency conversion; for example: 100 Billion in 2025], is projected to experience robust growth with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) exceeding 2.50% from 2025 to 2033. This growth is fueled by several key factors. Increasing industrialization across major European economies like Germany, the UK, and France consistently drives demand for natural gas in manufacturing and power generation. Furthermore, the ongoing transition towards cleaner energy sources presents both challenges and opportunities. While renewable energy adoption is increasing, natural gas remains a crucial bridging fuel, providing reliable baseload power and supporting the intermittent nature of renewables like solar and wind. This role is likely to persist throughout the forecast period, albeit with a gradually decreasing share as renewable capacity expands. However, geopolitical instability and supply chain disruptions remain significant constraints, impacting price volatility and potentially hindering market expansion. The market segmentation reveals a strong presence across various sectors – utilities, industrial, and commercial applications – each exhibiting distinct growth trajectories based on their individual energy needs and regulatory frameworks. Competition among major players, including Chevron Corporation, BP PLC, and TotalEnergies SE, is intense, and future market share will depend heavily on strategic investments in infrastructure, exploration, and diversification of supply sources. The segment-wise analysis reveals a dynamic market landscape. The utilities sector, the largest consumer, will continue to rely heavily on natural gas for electricity generation, though its relative share may decrease due to renewable energy integration. The industrial sector, with its diverse energy needs, shows considerable growth potential, especially in nations with robust manufacturing bases. The commercial sector, although smaller in comparison, is experiencing steady growth driven by increased energy consumption in buildings and businesses. Regional variations are also expected, with countries like Germany and the UK maintaining significant market shares due to their energy consumption patterns and established gas infrastructure. However, southern European nations are also poised for growth, particularly those aiming to reduce reliance on other energy sources. The overall market outlook for the European gas industry is positive, suggesting continued growth despite challenges related to geopolitical factors and the energy transition. Strategic partnerships, technological innovations, and prudent regulatory policies will be crucial for navigating the complexities of this dynamic market and achieving sustainable growth. Recent developments include: September 2022: Russia's Gazprom announced shipping 42.4 million cubic meters (mcm) of natural gas to Europe via Ukraine. The shift was part of a push by Russia to reduce its reliance on the US dollar., September 2022: The Baltic Pipe was inaugurated at Goleniów, Poland, marking the completion of the Baltic Pipe construction. The pipeline connects various countries, viz., Norway, Denmark, Poland, and neighboring countries. With this project, countries can now import up to 10 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually from Norway to Poland and transport up to three bcm of gas from Poland to Denmark.. Notable trends are: Utility Sector (i.e., Power Generation) Sector Expected to Dominate the Market.

European Union Natural Gas Inland Consumption: EA 19 data was reported at 33,706.606 Cub m mn in Mar 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 33,727.604 Cub m mn for Feb 2022. European Union Natural Gas Inland Consumption: EA 19 data is updated monthly, averaging 25,679.000 Cub m mn from Jan 2014 (Median) to Mar 2022, with 99 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 48,596.000 Cub m mn in Jan 2017 and a record low of 15,666.000 Cub m mn in Aug 2014. European Union Natural Gas Inland Consumption: EA 19 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Eurostat. The data is categorized under Global Database’s European Union – Table EU.RB013: Natural Gas Supply and Consumption: by Cubic Meter. [COVID-19-IMPACT]

Natural Gas Supply: EU 27: Production data was reported at 9,406.000 Cub m mn in Dec 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 9,107.000 Cub m mn for Nov 2019. Natural Gas Supply: EU 27: Production data is updated monthly, averaging 9,998.000 Cub m mn from Jan 2014 (Median) to Dec 2019, with 72 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17,307.000 Cub m mn in Jan 2015 and a record low of 7,829.000 Cub m mn in Jul 2015. Natural Gas Supply: EU 27: Production data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Eurostat. The data is categorized under Global Database’s European Union – Table EU.RB013: Natural Gas Supply and Consumption: by Cubic Meter.

European Union Natural Gas Supply: EU 27E: Imports data was reported at 35,056.351 Cub m mn in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 36,782.474 Cub m mn for Jan 2025. European Union Natural Gas Supply: EU 27E: Imports data is updated monthly, averaging 50,817.883 Cub m mn from Jan 2014 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 134 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 63,152.110 Cub m mn in May 2019 and a record low of 31,886.522 Cub m mn in Sep 2023. European Union Natural Gas Supply: EU 27E: Imports data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Eurostat. The data is categorized under Global Database’s European Union – Table EU.RB013: Natural Gas Supply and Consumption: by Cubic Meter. [COVID-19-IMPACT]

According to a February 2025 forecast, Europe's consumption of natural gas is expected to reach 414 billion cubic meters in 2030. This would be a decrease of some eight percent compared with 2024 levels.

This dataset contains information about world's natural gas consumption from 1965. Data from BP. Follow datasource.kapsarc.org for timely data to advance energy economics research.Notes:* Excludes natural gas converted to liquid fuels but includes derivatives of coal as well as natural gas consumed in Gas-to-Liquids transformation.^ Less than 0.05.w Less than 0.05%.n/a not available.# Excludes Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania prior to 1985 and Slovenia prior to 1990.Notes: The difference between these world consumption figures and the world production statistics is due to variations in stocks at storage facilitiesand liquefaction plants, together with unavoidable disparities in the definition, measurement or conversion of gas supply and demand data.Annual changes and share of total are calculated using million tonnes oil equivalent figures.Growth rates are adjusted for leap years.

The Gas Utilities industry in Europe has been anything but steady recently. The Russia-Ukraine war has rocked the whole supply chain, with Russia tightening its gas supply, Europe hustling to cut its reliance on Russian gas and gas prices shooting up following the initial invasion. Amid unprecedented price increases and threats to the supply of gas into Europe, European governments have been forced to step in to support customers and protect energy supplies. All that aside, the industry remains threatened by a long-term decline in gas consumption and accelerating efforts to transition to renewable sources of energy. Revenue is forecast to drop at a compound annual rate of 1.7% over the five years through 2024, reaching €390.5 billion. This growth is almost solely attributable to a spike in revenue recorded during 2022, which followed a recovery from pandemic-induced lows during 2021 when prices and demand recovered as global economic activity rebounded. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine kicked off a period of significant disruption in energy markets, with a surge in gas prices leading to record revenue and profitability for gas manufacturers while causing substantial losses for gas suppliers. Wholesale prices have eased from record highs as European governments have reduced reliance on Russian gas. At the same time, a drop in demand for gas has also contributed to a revenue contraction since the height of the energy crisis. Revenue is set to decline by 5.4% in 2024. Revenue is forecast to increase at a compound annual rate of 1% to €410.7 billion over the five years through 2029. European markets are set to pursue a green revolution in the coming years, with investment in renewable energy sources gathering pace as European governments strive towards emissions reduction targets. Investment in green alternatives to natural gas is likely to lead to a fall in demand, with plans set out by the European Commission to at least triple solar thermal capacity by 2030, displacing the consumption of nine billion cubic metres of gas annually. Gas prices are forecast to continue to rise until 2025, as Europe diversifies its gas supplies, before falling rapidly as renewable generation capacity rises.

Natural Gas Supply: EU 27: Imports data was reported at 65,818.000 Cub m mn in Dec 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 63,365.000 Cub m mn for Nov 2019. Natural Gas Supply: EU 27: Imports data is updated monthly, averaging 55,993.000 Cub m mn from Jan 2014 (Median) to Dec 2019, with 72 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 68,667.000 Cub m mn in Jan 2017 and a record low of 44,697.000 Cub m mn in Aug 2014. Natural Gas Supply: EU 27: Imports data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Eurostat. The data is categorized under Global Database’s European Union – Table EU.RB013: Natural Gas Supply and Consumption: by Cubic Meter.