The natural gas consumption in Moldova, without the Transnistrian region, last year decreased by 4.9% on a year before to 1.036,3 billion cubic meters, shows a report by the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE), Info-Prim Neo reports. The population consumed 314 million cubic meters of gas, down 7.8% on 2010, the companies working in the energy sector – 430.8 million cubic meters (- 5.9%), while the economic entities – 238.8 million cubic meters (-0.7%). Only the budget-funded institutions used by 3.5% more gas – 52.7 million cubic meters. This is because the number of gasified schools, kindergartens and hospitals has increased. The energy companies accounted for 41.6% of the consumed gas, the household users – for 30.3%, the economic entities – for 23%, while the budget-funded institutions – for 5.1%. The average purchase price of gas in 2011 was US$339.3 per 1 000 cubic meters, by 35.7% higher than in 2010. The average gas tariff for end-users grew by 28.4%, from 4,003 lei to 5,140 lei per 1 000 cubic meters of gas.