Tax Burden (% of GDP) 2001

Tax Burden measures the proportion of GDP collected by governments as taxes, influencing economic freedom.

94 data points••Global Coverage•Tax revenue (% of GDP), World Bank (WB)•

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
Denmark flag
Denmark
30.193 %
2
Angola flag
Angola
29.247 %
3
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
28.558 %
4
Sweden flag
Sweden
28.515 %
5
Austria flag
Austria
28.105 %
6
Belgium flag
Belgium
26.787 %
7
Namibia flag
Namibia
26.309 %
8
Norway flag
Norway
26.137 %
9
Israel flag
Israel
25.855 %
10
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
25.782 %
11
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
25.644 %
12
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
24.985 %
13
Australia flag
Australia
24.81 %
14
Papua New Guinea flag
Papua New Guinea
24.696 %
15
Ireland flag
Ireland
24.208 %
16
France flag
France
23.563 %
17
Italy flag
Italy
23.325 %
18
Iceland flag
Iceland
22.522 %
19
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
22.37 %
20
Malta flag
Malta
22.171 %
21
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
22.121 %
22
Finland flag
Finland
21.892 %
23
Croatia flag
Croatia
21.878 %
24
South Africa flag
South Africa
21.701 %
25
Greece flag
Greece
21.613 %
26
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
21.415 %
27
Hungary flag
Hungary
21.38 %
28
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
21.296 %
29
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
21.008 %
30
Portugal flag
Portugal
20.521 %
31
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
19.78 %
32
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
19.597 %
33
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
19.368 %
34
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
19.363 %
35
Estonia flag
Estonia
19.235 %
36
Jordan flag
Jordan
18.68 %
37
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
18.206 %
38
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
17.795 %
39
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
17.594 %
40
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
17.305 %
41
Ghana flag
Ghana
17.193 %
42
Romania flag
Romania
16.633 %
43
Zambia flag
Zambia
16.541 %
44
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
16.49 %
45
China, Macao SAR flag
China, Macao SAR
16.398 %
46
Poland flag
Poland
15.979 %
47
Chile flag
Chile
15.913 %
48
Russia flag
Russia
15.779 %
49
Belarus flag
Belarus
15.755 %
50
Saint Kitts and Nevis flag
Saint Kitts and Nevis
15.73 %
51
Spain flag
Spain
15.606 %
52
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
15.306 %
53
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
14.94 %
54
Latvia flag
Latvia
14.824 %
55
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
14.662 %
56
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
14.626 %
57
Singapore flag
Singapore
14.586 %
58
Canada flag
Canada
14.181 %
59
Belize flag
Belize
13.912 %
60
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
13.381 %
61
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
13.361 %
62
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
13.307 %
63
South Korea flag
South Korea
13.074 %
64
Thailand flag
Thailand
13.07 %
65
Peru flag
Peru
12.897 %
66
Philippines flag
Philippines
12.266 %
67
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
12.171 %
68
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
11.878 %
69
United States flag
United States
11.858 %
70
Georgia flag
Georgia
11.805 %
71
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
11.783 %
72
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
11.662 %
73
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
11.578 %
74
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
11.039 %
75
Germany flag
Germany
10.956 %
76
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
9.86 %
77
Maldives flag
Maldives
9.826 %
78
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
9.803 %
79
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
9.642 %
80
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
9.536 %
81
Argentina flag
Argentina
9.325 %
82
Congo flag
Congo
9.071 %
83
Mali flag
Mali
8.902 %
84
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
8.86 %
85
Nepal flag
Nepal
8.803 %
86
Tajikistan flag
Tajikistan
8.202 %
87
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
8.188 %
88
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
8.084 %
89
India flag
India
8.079 %
90
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
6.611 %
91
Iran flag
Iran
5.747 %
92
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
4.104 %
93
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
2.752 %
94
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
2.257 %

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Denmark flagDenmark
  2. #2Angola flagAngola
  3. #3New Zealand flagNew Zealand
  4. #4Sweden flagSweden
  5. #5Austria flagAustria
  6. #6Belgium flagBelgium
  7. #7Namibia flagNamibia
  8. #8Norway flagNorway
  9. #9Israel flagIsrael
  10. #10Lesotho flagLesotho

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #94Myanmar flagMyanmar
  2. #93Congo, Democratic Republic of the flagCongo, Democratic Republic of the
  3. #92Bahrain flagBahrain
  4. #91Iran flagIran
  5. #90Bangladesh flagBangladesh
  6. #89India flagIndia
  7. #88Ethiopia flagEthiopia
  8. #87Bhutan flagBhutan
  9. #86Tajikistan flagTajikistan
  10. #85Nepal flagNepal

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

In 2001, Denmark led the world with the highest Tax Burden (% of GDP) at 30.19%, while the global range spanned from a minimum of 2.26% to a maximum of 30.19%. The average tax burden across the 94 countries with available data was 16.54%, with a median value of 15.91%.

Economic Structures and High Tax Burdens

The countries with the highest tax burdens in 2001, such as Denmark (30.19%), Angola (29.25%), and New Zealand (28.56%), typically have well-developed or strategically crucial economic structures. In Denmark and Sweden (28.52%), the high tax rates are often attributed to comprehensive welfare states that provide extensive public services, including healthcare and education, funded by these taxes. Such systems necessitate higher public revenue collection to sustain social safety nets and public infrastructure.

In contrast, countries like Angola often rely on specific sectors such as oil and natural resources, which can lead to higher tax burdens due to the state's significant role in these industries. This reliance can create a concentrated tax structure where a few sectors bear a larger portion of the tax burden relative to GDP.

Low Tax Burdens and Economic Development

At the other end of the spectrum, countries such as Myanmar (2.26%), Congo, Democratic Republic of the (2.75%), and Bahrain (4.10%) exhibit some of the lowest tax burdens. These low figures are often indicative of either nascent economic systems or strategic economic policies aimed at stimulating growth through low taxation.

For instance, Bahrain's low tax burden aligns with its status as a financial hub in the Middle East, where low taxes are used to attract foreign investment and promote business development. Meanwhile, the low tax burdens in Myanmar and Congo reflect limited state capacity to collect taxes, which is common in countries with less developed administrative structures and economic foundations.

Impact of Tax Burden on Economic Freedom

Tax burden directly influences a country's economic freedom, where higher tax rates can imply more government intervention in the economy. In countries like Austria (28.10%) and Belgium (26.79%), high taxes are often accompanied by regulatory frameworks that can either support or hinder economic activity depending on their efficiency and transparency.

Conversely, lower tax burdens, as seen in Iran (5.75%) and Bangladesh (6.61%), can suggest a lighter government footprint, potentially fostering a more dynamic private sector. However, this does not automatically translate to economic freedom if other constraints, such as bureaucratic inefficiencies or political instability, are present.

Geographic and Policy Drivers of Tax Burden

Geographic factors and policy decisions significantly impact a country's tax burden. For instance, Norway (26.14%) utilizes its natural resources, notably oil, to support a high tax burden that funds extensive social services. Similarly, Namibia (26.31%) leverages its mineral wealth to underpin its tax structure.

Policy decisions also play a critical role, as seen in Lesotho (25.78%), where tax policies are crafted to balance between generating sufficient revenue and maintaining economic competitiveness. Countries with strategic policy frameworks can effectively manage their tax burdens to support both economic growth and social welfare.

In conclusion, the Tax Burden (% of GDP) in 2001 reveals the diverse economic landscapes and policy choices across the globe. While high tax burdens often correlate with robust public sectors and social welfare systems, low burdens can indicate efforts to stimulate economic growth or reflect developmental challenges. Understanding these dynamics provides valuable insights into the broader implications of tax policy on global economic freedom and development.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tax Burden (% of GDP) in 2001

Which country had the highest tax burden as a percentage of GDP in 2001?

Denmark had the highest tax burden in 2001, with 30.19% of its GDP collected as taxes.

Which country had the lowest tax burden as a percentage of GDP in 2001?

Myanmar had the lowest tax burden in 2001, with only 2.26% of its GDP collected as taxes.

What was the average tax burden as a percentage of GDP across all countries in 2001?

The average tax burden across all countries in the dataset was 16.54% of GDP in 2001.

What was the median tax burden as a percentage of GDP in 2001?

The median tax burden in 2001 was 15.85% of GDP.

What countries were in the top 3 for tax burden as a percentage of GDP in 2001?

The top 3 countries for tax burden in 2001 were Denmark (30.19%), Angola (29.25%), and New Zealand (28.56%).

How many countries had a tax burden higher than the average in 2001?

In 2001, several countries had a tax burden higher than the average of 16.54%, including those in the top 10 list such as Denmark and Angola.

Insights by country

1

Nepal

Nepal ranked #85 globally with a tax burden of 8.80257474738339 % of GDP in 2001. This figure is notably lower than the global average, reflecting the country's limited tax revenue capabilities compared to more developed nations.

The low tax burden in Nepal can be attributed to a predominantly agrarian economy, where a significant portion of the population is engaged in subsistence farming, and a lack of robust tax collection infrastructure. Additionally, political instability and economic challenges have hindered the government's ability to expand its tax base effectively.

2

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

In 2001, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines had a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 19.3628494753066 %, ranking #34 out of 94 countries. This tax burden is relatively moderate compared to regional neighbors, reflecting a balanced approach to taxation in the Caribbean. The country's economy relies heavily on agriculture and tourism, which influences its tax policies and revenue generation capabilities.

3

Mauritius

In 2001, Mauritius had a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 14.939651933863 %, ranking #53 out of 94 countries. This figure is relatively low compared to many developed nations, indicating a more favorable tax environment for businesses and individuals. Key drivers of this tax burden include the country's strategic focus on attracting foreign investment and its diverse economy, which relies heavily on tourism and financial services.

4

Slovakia

In 2001, Slovakia had a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 17.3046857738748 %, ranking #40 out of 94 countries. This figure was below the European Union average, reflecting the country's transitional economy following the split from Czechoslovakia in 1993. The relatively low tax burden was influenced by ongoing reforms aimed at attracting foreign investment and stimulating economic growth in a rapidly changing market environment.

5

Luxembourg

In 2001, Luxembourg had a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 24.9848743135861 %, ranking #12 out of 94 countries. This figure is notably higher than the global average, reflecting Luxembourg's robust financial sector and its role as a tax haven. The country's favorable tax policies, combined with a strong economy driven by banking and investment services, contribute significantly to its tax revenue relative to GDP.

6

Italy

In 2001, Italy had a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 23.325203414184 %, ranking #17 out of 94 countries. This figure is notably higher than the EU average, reflecting Italy's extensive welfare system and public services. Key drivers of this tax burden include a significant public sector and a complex tax system influenced by regional disparities and economic challenges.

7

Saint Lucia

In 2001, Saint Lucia had a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 16.489850746888 %, ranking #44 out of 94 countries. This figure is relatively low compared to the global average, indicating a less aggressive tax policy. The tax burden in Saint Lucia is influenced by its small, tourism-dependent economy, which often relies on indirect taxes rather than direct taxation to stimulate growth.

8

Belarus

In 2001, Belarus had a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 15.7546642442876 %, ranking #49 out of 94 countries. This figure is relatively low compared to many European nations, reflecting a more centralized economy with significant state control. The tax structure in Belarus has historically been influenced by its Soviet legacy, which emphasizes state ownership and limited private sector growth.

9

Indonesia

In 2001, Indonesia ranked #73 globally with a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 11.5781845835748 %. This figure was notably lower than the global average, reflecting the country's developing economic status. Contributing factors include a large informal economy and limited tax compliance, which hindered the government's ability to generate revenue effectively.

10

Chile

In 2001, Chile had a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 15.9131257668038 %, ranking #47 out of 94 countries. This figure is lower than the OECD average, indicating a relatively modest tax environment compared to many developed nations. Chile's tax structure is influenced by its commitment to free-market policies and a strong emphasis on attracting foreign investment, which has shaped its economic landscape significantly.

Data Source

Tax revenue (% of GDP), World Bank (WB)

Taxes are compulsory, unrequited payments, in cash or in kind, made by institutional units to government units. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period.

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Historical Data by Year

Explore Tax Burden (% of GDP) data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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