- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports refer to the total volume of liquefied natural gas received by a country from international suppliers during a given year.
Europe Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports was 169.1 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, down 1.7% on 2022. The Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports dataset of Europe from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the region’s LNG import patterns, highlighting import trends, trade developments, and changes across the natural gas sector. Measured in billion cubic metres (bcm), the dataset represents the total annual volume of LNG imported across Europe.
Europe Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports moved from 56.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 169.1 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (+202%), an average of +14.8% a year. The series high was 172.1 Billion Cubic Metres in 2022 and the low 56.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015.
The gap between the series high (2022) and low (2015) is 116.1 Billion Cubic Metres. The sharpest single-year move was +67.7% in 2019.
Within Europe, France has the highest value in 2023 at 30.70 Billion Cubic Metres, 18.2% of the regional total.
Country ranking
Billion Cubic Metres. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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By region
Billion Cubic Metres, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Billion Cubic Metres.
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| Year | Billion Cubic Metres | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 169.1 | −1.7% |
| 2022Peak | 172.1 | +60.1% |
| 2021 | 107.5 | −7.5% |
| 2020 | 116.2 | −2.7% |
| 2019 | 119.4 | +67.7% |
| 2018 | 71.20 | +9.9% |
| 2017 | 64.80 | +14.9% |
| 2016 | 56.40 | +0.7% |
| 2015 Trough | 56.00 | — |
Data definition
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports — - Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports refer to the total volume of liquefied natural gas received by a country from international suppliers during a given year. LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to approximately −162°C, converting it into a liquid state to facilitate efficient storage and long-distance transportation by specialized LNG carriers. The indicator is typically measured in billion cubic meters (bcm) after regasification or in equivalent LNG volumes and represents the amount of imported LNG entering a country's energy supply. LNG Imports are a key indicator of natural gas trade, energy security, import dependency, and the diversification of natural gas supply sources.
The data includes all internationally traded LNG cargoes imported through LNG receiving terminals and regasification facilities for domestic consumption, storage, or onward distribution. It covers LNG imported under long-term contracts, spot market purchases, and short-term agreements from exporting countries. The indicator includes LNG received for use across electricity generation, industrial processes, residential and commercial applications, and other natural gas-consuming sectors after regasification. Imports are recorded regardless of the country of origin and are compiled using standardized international trade statistics, customs data, port records, and national energy reporting methodologies, enabling consistent comparison of LNG import volumes across countries and over time.
The data excludes domestically produced natural gas, pipeline natural gas imports and exports, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas liquids (NGLs), compressed natural gas (CNG), and other gaseous fuels that are not imported as LNG. It also excludes LNG exports, LNG bunkering for marine fuel where reported separately, transit shipments that do not enter domestic supply, and inventory changes unless specifically incorporated into national energy balances. The indicator does not measure LNG consumption, regasification capacity, storage capacity, terminal utilization rates, or the economic value of LNG imports. Minor variations may occur due to differences in national reporting practices, customs classifications, conversion factors, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports — - Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports refer to the total volume of liquefied natural gas received by a country from international suppliers during a given year. LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to approximately −162°C, converting it into a liquid state to facilitate efficient storage and long-distance transportation by specialized LNG carriers. The indicator is typically measured in billion cubic meters (bcm) after regasification or in equivalent LNG volumes and represents the amount of imported LNG entering a country's energy supply. LNG Imports are a key indicator of natural gas trade, energy security, import dependency, and the diversification of natural gas supply sources.
It serves as an important indicator of regional energy security, supply diversification, natural gas trade, and the expanding role of LNG within Europe’s energy market.
Europe imported 56.0 bcm of LNG in 2015, increasing slightly to 56.4 bcm in 2016 and 64.8 bcm in 2017. Imports continued rising to 71.2 bcm in 2018 before surging to 119.4 bcm in 2019. LNG imports remained elevated at 116.2 bcm in 2020, declined to 107.5 bcm in 2021, and then increased sharply to a review-period high of 172.1 bcm in 2022 before easing marginally to 169.1 bcm in 2023. The UK, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Turkey, and other European countries all contributed to the region’s growing LNG demand.
Overall, the dataset indicates a strong upward trend in Europe’s LNG imports throughout the review period, particularly after 2018. Rising import volumes were driven by efforts to diversify gas supply sources, strengthen energy security, expand LNG regasification capacity, and reduce reliance on pipeline gas. The substantial increase during 2022 and the sustained high level in 2023 reflected Europe’s strategic shift toward LNG amid changing global energy market conditions and evolving regional supply requirements.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating Europe’s LNG import outlook, analyzing regional trade dynamics, and assessing future energy requirements. It supports market research, infrastructure planning, investment evaluation, and policy development while providing insights for researchers, industry stakeholders, analysts, and policymakers monitoring energy security, LNG trade trends, supply diversification, infrastructure expansion, and the evolving role of LNG across Europe’s energy landscape.
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Definition- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports refer to the total volume of liquefied natural gas received by a country from international suppliers during a given year. LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to approximately −162°C, converting it into a liquid state to facilitate efficient storage and long-distance transportation by specialized LNG carriers. The indicator is typically measured in billion cubic meters (bcm) after regasification or in equivalent LNG volumes and represents the amount of imported LNG entering a country's energy supply. LNG Imports are a key indicator of natural gas trade, energy security, import dependency, and the diversification of natural gas supply sources.
Europe Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports was 169.1 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, down 1.7% on 2022.
Europe Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports moved from 56.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 169.1 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (+202%), an average of +14.8% a year. The series high was 172.1 Billion Cubic Metres in 2022 and the low 56.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015.
The highest value was 172.1 Billion Cubic Metres in 2022 and the lowest was 56.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015.
Included: The data includes all internationally traded LNG cargoes imported through LNG receiving terminals and regasification facilities for domestic consumption, storage, or onward distribution. It covers LNG imported under long-term contracts, spot market purchases, and short-term agreements from exporting countries. The indicator includes LNG received for use across electricity generation, industrial processes, residential and commercial applications, and other natural gas-consuming sectors after regasification. Imports are recorded regardless of the country of origin and are compiled using standardized international trade statistics, customs data, port records, and national energy reporting methodologies, enabling consistent comparison of LNG import volumes across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes domestically produced natural gas, pipeline natural gas imports and exports, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas liquids (NGLs), compressed natural gas (CNG), and other gaseous fuels that are not imported as LNG. It also excludes LNG exports, LNG bunkering for marine fuel where reported separately, transit shipments that do not enter domestic supply, and inventory changes unless specifically incorporated into national energy balances. The indicator does not measure LNG consumption, regasification capacity, storage capacity, terminal utilization rates, or the economic value of LNG imports. Minor variations may occur due to differences in national reporting practices, customs classifications, conversion factors, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Billion Cubic Metres.
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