The rate of dependence of the European Union on natural gas imports decreased slightly in 2021, to 83%, from 84% in 2020, but Romania is the member country with the lowest dependence on natural gas imports (24%), shows data released by Eurostat.

Other countries with a low dependence on natural gas imports are: Denmark (26%) and the Netherlands (33%), according to Agerpres.

On the other hand, the Member States most dependent on natural gas imports are: Malta (104%), Sweden (102%) and Spain (101%).

Compared to the 2020 situation, the largest increases in dependence on natural gas imports were recorded in Malta (from 96% in 2020 to 104% in 2021, an increase of eight percentage points), Ireland (from 64% up to 71%, an increase of seven percentage points) and Romania (from 17% in 2020 to 24% in 2021, an increase of seven percentage points).

The largest year-on-year decreases were recorded in Latvia (from 121% to 61%, ie a decrease of 59 percentage points), Austria (from 73% to 51%, a decrease of 22 percentage points). percentage points) and Slovakia (from 88% to 69%, a decrease of 20 percentage points).