Impact of structural changes on final intensity

  • The difference between the variations of the intensity and of the intensity at constant structure measures the effect of structural changes.
  • Structural changes explain only 20% of the decrease in final intensity since 2010.
  • The structural changes are mainly due to changes within industry (higher share of less energy intensive branches, especially since 2019) and in the structure of GDP (higher share of services).

Impact of structural changes on the final intensity (EU)

Contribution of structural changes (EU)


  • Most countries have shifted to less energy-intensive sectors. Structural changes were negligible in Portugal, The Netherlands and Greece and contributed to slowing down the decrease in final intensity in Bulgaria.
  • Structural changes explain the majority of the decrease in final intensity in Finland and Serbia.
  • In 9 EU MS, structural changes explain more than 20% of the decrease in final energy intensity.

Impact of structural changes on the final intensity in EU countries (2010-2023)

Note: Final energy intensity at normal climate.