Tax Burden (% of GDP) 2011

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

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

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
Timor-Leste flag
Timor-Leste
135.484 %
2
China, Macao SAR flag
China, Macao SAR
37.421 %
3
Denmark flag
Denmark
32.809 %
4
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
30.214 %
5
Namibia flag
Namibia
29.551 %
6
Sweden flag
Sweden
27.137 %
7
Norway flag
Norway
26.934 %
8
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
25.727 %
9
Austria flag
Austria
25.647 %
10
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
25.644 %
11
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
25.642 %
12
Malta flag
Malta
25.411 %
13
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
25.159 %
14
Belgium flag
Belgium
24.757 %
15
Botswana flag
Botswana
24.045 %
16
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
23.987 %
17
Italy flag
Italy
23.691 %
18
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
23.364 %
19
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
23.15 %
20
Fiji flag
Fiji
22.917 %
21
South Africa flag
South Africa
22.875 %
22
Georgia flag
Georgia
22.661 %
23
Greece flag
Greece
22.459 %
24
Israel flag
Israel
22.224 %
25
France flag
France
21.826 %
26
Barbados flag
Barbados
21.728 %
27
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
21.695 %
28
Ireland flag
Ireland
21.679 %
29
Morocco flag
Morocco
21.453 %
30
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
21.385 %
31
Portugal flag
Portugal
21.36 %
32
Hungary flag
Hungary
21.076 %
33
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
20.663 %
34
Iceland flag
Iceland
20.352 %
35
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
20.306 %
36
Australia flag
Australia
20.26 %
37
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
20.175 %
38
Finland flag
Finland
20.053 %
39
Croatia flag
Croatia
19.648 %
40
Estonia flag
Estonia
19.446 %
41
Chile flag
Chile
18.936 %
42
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
18.659 %
43
Turkey flag
Turkey
18.551 %
44
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
18.467 %
45
Belize flag
Belize
18.321 %
46
Serbia flag
Serbia
18.314 %
47
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
18.258 %
48
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
18.199 %
49
Saint Kitts and Nevis flag
Saint Kitts and Nevis
18.075 %
50
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
18.049 %
51
Cabo Verde flag
Cabo Verde
17.987 %
52
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
17.928 %
53
Albania flag
Albania
17.907 %
54
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
17.883 %
55
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
17.84 %
56
Palau flag
Palau
17.783 %
57
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
17.759 %
58
Armenia flag
Armenia
17.219 %
59
Romania flag
Romania
17.215 %
60
Marshall Islands flag
Marshall Islands
17.038 %
61
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
17 %
62
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
16.8 %
63
Poland flag
Poland
16.67 %
64
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
16.644 %
65
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
16.442 %
66
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
16.377 %
67
Thailand flag
Thailand
16.362 %
68
Kiribati flag
Kiribati
16.346 %
69
San Marino flag
San Marino
16.153 %
70
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
16.004 %
71
Peru flag
Peru
15.969 %
72
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
15.666 %
73
Burundi flag
Burundi
15.532 %
74
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
15.344 %
75
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
15.24 %
76
Latvia flag
Latvia
15.035 %
77
Ghana flag
Ghana
14.866 %
78
Brazil flag
Brazil
14.851 %
79
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
14.794 %
80
Honduras flag
Honduras
14.788 %
81
Zambia flag
Zambia
14.716 %
82
Colombia flag
Colombia
14.576 %
83
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
14.52 %
84
Belarus flag
Belarus
14.509 %
85
Angola flag
Angola
14.338 %
86
Egypt flag
Egypt
14.009 %
87
Russia flag
Russia
13.954 %
88
South Korea flag
South Korea
13.281 %
89
Jordan flag
Jordan
13.214 %
90
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
13.209 %
91
Laos flag
Laos
13.146 %
92
Singapore flag
Singapore
13.106 %
93
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
13.011 %
94
Argentina flag
Argentina
12.664 %
95
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
12.432 %
96
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
12.315 %
97
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
12.225 %
98
Burkina Faso flag
Burkina Faso
12.219 %
99
Maldives flag
Maldives
12.078 %
100
Philippines flag
Philippines
11.849 %
101
Spain flag
Spain
11.826 %
102
Canada flag
Canada
11.804 %
103
Germany flag
Germany
11.751 %
104
Nepal flag
Nepal
11.625 %
105
Togo flag
Togo
11.405 %
106
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
11.041 %
107
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
11.018 %
108
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
10.848 %
109
Malawi flag
Malawi
10.618 %
110
Mali flag
Mali
10.55 %
111
India flag
India
10.177 %
112
China flag
China
10.151 %
113
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
9.794 %
114
Mexico flag
Mexico
9.617 %
115
United States flag
United States
9.539 %
116
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
9.367 %
117
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
9.209 %
118
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
9.177 %
119
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
8.917 %
120
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
8.71 %
121
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
8.686 %
122
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
8.126 %
123
Congo flag
Congo
8.114 %
124
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
7.571 %
125
Central African Republic flag
Central African Republic
7.54 %
126
Equatorial Guinea flag
Equatorial Guinea
7.016 %
127
Micronesia (Fed. States of) flag
Micronesia (Fed. States of)
5.017 %
128
Sudan flag
Sudan
3.856 %
129
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
2.3 %
130
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
1.072 %
131
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
0.306 %

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Timor-Leste flagTimor-Leste
  2. #2China, Macao SAR flagChina, Macao SAR
  3. #3Denmark flagDenmark
  4. #4Lesotho flagLesotho
  5. #5Namibia flagNamibia
  6. #6Sweden flagSweden
  7. #7Norway flagNorway
  8. #8United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom
  9. #9Austria flagAustria
  10. #10Trinidad and Tobago flagTrinidad and Tobago

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

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #131United Arab Emirates flagUnited Arab Emirates
  2. #130Bahrain flagBahrain
  3. #129Saudi Arabia flagSaudi Arabia
  4. #128Sudan flagSudan
  5. #127Micronesia (Fed. States of) flagMicronesia (Fed. States of)
  6. #126Equatorial Guinea flagEquatorial Guinea
  7. #125Central African Republic flagCentral African Republic
  8. #124Côte d'Ivoire flagCôte d'Ivoire
  9. #123Congo flagCongo
  10. #122Cambodia flagCambodia

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

Analysis & Context

In 2011, Timor-Leste had the highest Tax Burden (% of GDP) at an astonishing 135.48%, while the United Arab Emirates recorded the lowest at a mere 0.31%. Globally, the tax burden ranged significantly across 131 countries, reflecting diverse economic structures and fiscal policies. The global average tax burden was 17.34%, offering a benchmark for evaluating individual country performances.

Economic Structures and Tax Burden

The disparity in Tax Burden (% of GDP) across countries often mirrors their economic structures and government policies. For instance, Timor-Leste leads the list, with its tax burden exceeding its GDP, a rarity that suggests unique accounting practices or extraordinary government revenue collection methods, likely linked to its oil-dependent economy. In contrast, Denmark at 32.81% and Sweden at 27.14% reflect typical high-taxation models associated with their welfare state systems, where extensive public services are funded through higher taxation rates.

On the other end of the spectrum, countries like the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain with tax burdens of 0.31% and 1.07% respectively, exemplify economies that rely heavily on oil revenues and minimize taxation to promote business and investment. Such fiscal strategies are common in Gulf countries, where governments prefer to leverage natural resource wealth rather than impose taxes on businesses and individuals.

Policy Implications and Economic Freedom

Tax burden levels are also indicative of a country's approach to economic freedom and market intervention. Higher tax burdens, such as those in Austria (25.65%) and the United Kingdom (25.73%), often reflect more significant government involvement in economic affairs, which can impact business operations and individual economic freedoms. Conversely, lower tax burdens, as seen in Saudi Arabia (2.30%), often correlate with greater economic freedom, potentially fostering a more business-friendly environment.

This balance between taxation and economic freedom is a critical consideration for policymakers. Countries must weigh the benefits of funding public services against the potential stifling effects of high taxation on economic growth and private sector development.

Year-over-Year Changes: A Dynamic Landscape

Between 2010 and 2011, several countries experienced significant shifts in their tax burden, highlighting dynamic fiscal landscapes. Timor-Leste saw the most considerable increase, with a rise of 25.31 percentage points, reflecting potential changes in revenue policy or economic conditions. Similarly, Namibia and Maldives experienced substantial increases of 4.01 and 3.23 percentage points, respectively, which may indicate efforts to bolster government revenue in response to fiscal needs or developmental goals.

Conversely, countries like Côte d'Ivoire and Sudan faced notable decreases of 2.64 and 2.01 percentage points. These reductions could be attributed to economic contractions, political instability, or efforts to stimulate economic activity by reducing the tax burden. Understanding these shifts is crucial for investors and policymakers, as they reflect broader economic strategies and potential future trajectories.

Regional and Global Patterns

Geographically, the data reveals intriguing regional patterns. European countries such as Denmark and Sweden consistently maintain higher tax burdens, aligning with their social welfare models. In contrast, African nations like Lesotho (30.21%) and Namibia (29.55%) show higher tax burdens compared to many of their regional peers, possibly due to efforts to fund development projects and infrastructure through taxation.

Globally, the tax burden appears to be influenced by a combination of economic maturity, resource dependency, and governmental fiscal policies. As countries continue to navigate the complexities of global economics, understanding these patterns and their underlying causes remains essential for crafting effective fiscal policies and promoting sustainable economic development.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tax Burden (% of GDP) in 2011

Which country had the highest tax burden as a percentage of GDP in 2011?

Timor-Leste had the highest tax burden in 2011, with 135% of its GDP collected as taxes.

Which country had the lowest tax burden as a percentage of GDP in 2011?

The United Arab Emirates had the lowest tax burden in 2011, with only 0.31% of its GDP collected as taxes.

What was the average tax burden as a percentage of GDP across all countries in 2011?

The average tax burden across all countries in the dataset for 2011 was 17.34% of GDP.

What was the median tax burden as a percentage of GDP in 2011?

The median tax burden in 2011 was 16.38% of GDP.

Which countries were in the top 3 for tax burden as a percentage of GDP in 2011?

The top 3 countries for tax burden in 2011 were Timor-Leste at 135%, China, Macao SAR at 37.42%, and Denmark at 32.81%.

How many countries were included in the tax burden dataset for 2011?

The dataset for tax burden in 2011 included a total of 131 countries.

Insights by country

1

Central African Republic

The Central African Republic ranked #125 globally for Tax Burden (% of GDP) in 2011, with a value of 7.54040362417486 %. This figure is significantly lower than the global average, indicating a limited capacity for tax revenue generation compared to many other nations. Contributing factors include ongoing political instability, a largely informal economy, and inadequate infrastructure, which hinder effective tax collection and compliance.

2

Lebanon

In 2011, Lebanon ranked #66 globally with a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 16.3773329137847 %. This figure is relatively low compared to the global average, indicating a less extensive tax system than many countries. Contributing factors include Lebanon's complex political landscape, which has historically hindered effective tax collection and enforcement, alongside economic challenges such as high public debt and a reliance on informal economic activities.

3

Finland

In 2011, Finland ranked #38 globally with a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 20.0526169335458 %. This figure is notably lower than the Nordic average, reflecting Finland's unique approach to taxation compared to its neighbors like Sweden, which has a higher tax burden. Key factors influencing this statistic include Finland's extensive social welfare programs, which are funded through taxation, and a strong emphasis on public services that contribute to overall economic stability.

4

Equatorial Guinea

In 2011, Equatorial Guinea had a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 7.01579011251936 %, ranking #126 out of 131 countries. This figure is significantly lower than the global average, indicating a limited tax revenue generation compared to many other nations. The low tax burden is largely due to the country's reliance on oil revenues, which have historically dominated its economy, reducing the need for extensive taxation of other sectors.

5

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan ranked #97 globally with a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 12.2247609538804 % in 2011. This figure is notably lower than the global average, indicating a lighter tax load on its economy compared to many other nations. The relatively low tax burden can be attributed to Azerbaijan's oil-rich economy, which generates substantial revenue, allowing the government to maintain lower tax rates to attract investment and stimulate growth.

6

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked #35 globally with a tax burden of 20.3056652821355 % of GDP in 2011. This figure is above the regional average for Southeast Europe, reflecting a relatively high level of taxation compared to some neighboring countries. The tax burden is influenced by the country's complex political structure and the need for revenue to support public services and infrastructure in a post-war context.

7

Angola

In 2011, Angola had a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 14.3382952931375 %, ranking #85 out of 131 countries. This figure is notably lower than the global average, reflecting a relatively modest tax collection system compared to more developed economies.

Key factors influencing this tax burden include Angola's reliance on oil revenues, which dominate its economy and reduce the need for extensive taxation, and a challenging business environment that limits the expansion of the tax base.

8

Jamaica

In 2011, Jamaica had a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 23.364368298024 %, ranking #18 out of 131 countries. This figure is notably higher than the global average, indicating a significant reliance on taxation to fund public services. Contributing factors include Jamaica's need for revenue to support its social programs and infrastructure development, alongside challenges such as high public debt and economic vulnerability to external shocks.

9

Australia

In 2011, Australia had a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 20.2598123616431 %, ranking #36 out of 131 countries. This figure is higher than the average tax burden in the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting Australia's robust social welfare programs and public services. The relatively high tax rate is driven by a combination of a strong economy, significant government investments in health and education, and a progressive tax system that aims to address income inequality.

10

Chile

In 2011, Chile had a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 18.9360959983723 %, ranking #41 out of 131 countries. This figure is lower than the average tax burden in Latin America, reflecting a relatively lean fiscal structure compared to its regional peers. Key factors influencing this statistic include Chile's commitment to free-market policies and a focus on attracting foreign investment, which have shaped its tax framework and economic landscape.

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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