Europe’s demand for natural gas fell in 2023 for the second consecutive year, according to Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical office.

    Natural gas demand dropped by 7.4% to 12.7 million terajoules last year, on the heels of a 13.3% decline in 2022.

    This represents the lowest demand since records began in 2008 on a cumulative monthly basis.

    High gas prices and Europe’s determination to reduce reliance on Russian gas have been driving the decrease.

    Many European countries registered reduced demand. Significant consumers, such as Germany, Italy and France, experienced drops of 3.8%, 10% and over 11% respectively.