Tax Burden (% of GDP) 2011
Tax Burden measures the proportion of GDP collected by governments as taxes, influencing economic freedom.
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Complete Data Rankings
Rank | Actions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Timor-Leste | 135.484 % | |
2 | China, Macao SAR | 37.421 % | |
3 | Denmark | 32.809 % | |
4 | Lesotho | 30.214 % | |
5 | Namibia | 29.551 % | |
6 | Sweden | 27.137 % | |
7 | Norway | 26.934 % | |
8 | United Kingdom | 25.727 % | |
9 | Austria | 25.647 % | |
10 | Trinidad and Tobago | 25.644 % | |
11 | New Zealand | 25.642 % | |
12 | Malta | 25.411 % | |
13 | Solomon Islands | 25.159 % | |
14 | Belgium | 24.757 % | |
15 | Botswana | 24.045 % | |
16 | Luxembourg | 23.987 % | |
17 | Italy | 23.691 % | |
18 | Jamaica | 23.364 % | |
19 | Cyprus | 23.15 % | |
20 | Fiji | 22.917 % | |
21 | South Africa | 22.875 % | |
22 | Georgia | 22.661 % | |
23 | Greece | 22.459 % | |
24 | Israel | 22.224 % | |
25 | France | 21.826 % | |
26 | Barbados | 21.728 % | |
27 | Slovenia | 21.695 % | |
28 | Ireland | 21.679 % | |
29 | Morocco | 21.453 % | |
30 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 21.385 % | |
31 | Portugal | 21.36 % | |
32 | Hungary | 21.076 % | |
33 | Netherlands | 20.663 % | |
34 | Iceland | 20.352 % | |
35 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 20.306 % | |
36 | Australia | 20.26 % | |
37 | Tunisia | 20.175 % | |
38 | Finland | 20.053 % | |
39 | Croatia | 19.648 % | |
40 | Estonia | 19.446 % | |
41 | Chile | 18.936 % | |
42 | Czech Republic | 18.659 % | |
43 | Turkey | 18.551 % | |
44 | Mongolia | 18.467 % | |
45 | Belize | 18.321 % | |
46 | Serbia | 18.314 % | |
47 | Kazakhstan | 18.258 % | |
48 | Uruguay | 18.199 % | |
49 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 18.075 % | |
50 | Saint Lucia | 18.049 % | |
51 | Cabo Verde | 17.987 % | |
52 | Zimbabwe | 17.928 % | |
53 | Albania | 17.907 % | |
54 | Bulgaria | 17.883 % | |
55 | Ukraine | 17.84 % | |
56 | Palau | 17.783 % | |
57 | Mauritius | 17.759 % | |
58 | Armenia | 17.219 % | |
59 | Romania | 17.215 % | |
60 | Marshall Islands | 17.038 % | |
61 | North Macedonia | 17 % | |
62 | Mozambique | 16.8 % | |
63 | Poland | 16.67 % | |
64 | Eswatini | 16.644 % | |
65 | Vanuatu | 16.442 % | |
66 | Lebanon | 16.377 % | |
67 | Thailand | 16.362 % | |
68 | Kiribati | 16.346 % | |
69 | San Marino | 16.153 % | |
70 | Slovakia | 16.004 % | |
71 | Peru | 15.969 % | |
72 | Lithuania | 15.666 % | |
73 | Burundi | 15.532 % | |
74 | El Salvador | 15.344 % | |
75 | Republic of Moldova | 15.24 % | |
76 | Latvia | 15.035 % | |
77 | Ghana | 14.866 % | |
78 | Brazil | 14.851 % | |
79 | Malaysia | 14.794 % | |
80 | Honduras | 14.788 % | |
81 | Zambia | 14.716 % | |
82 | Colombia | 14.576 % | |
83 | Nicaragua | 14.52 % | |
84 | Belarus | 14.509 % | |
85 | Angola | 14.338 % | |
86 | Egypt | 14.009 % | |
87 | Russia | 13.954 % | |
88 | South Korea | 13.281 % | |
89 | Jordan | 13.214 % | |
90 | Costa Rica | 13.209 % | |
91 | Laos | 13.146 % | |
92 | Singapore | 13.106 % | |
93 | Bahamas | 13.011 % | |
94 | Argentina | 12.664 % | |
95 | Bhutan | 12.432 % | |
96 | Dominican Republic | 12.315 % | |
97 | Azerbaijan | 12.225 % | |
98 | Burkina Faso | 12.219 % | |
99 | Maldives | 12.078 % | |
100 | Philippines | 11.849 % | |
101 | Spain | 11.826 % | |
102 | Canada | 11.804 % | |
103 | Germany | 11.751 % | |
104 | Nepal | 11.625 % | |
105 | Togo | 11.405 % | |
106 | Uzbekistan | 11.041 % | |
107 | Guatemala | 11.018 % | |
108 | Sri Lanka | 10.848 % | |
109 | Malawi | 10.618 % | |
110 | Mali | 10.55 % | |
111 | India | 10.177 % | |
112 | China | 10.151 % | |
113 | Tanzania | 9.794 % | |
114 | Mexico | 9.617 % | |
115 | United States | 9.539 % | |
116 | Paraguay | 9.367 % | |
117 | Ethiopia | 9.209 % | |
118 | Switzerland | 9.177 % | |
119 | Afghanistan | 8.917 % | |
120 | Madagascar | 8.71 % | |
121 | Bangladesh | 8.686 % | |
122 | Cambodia | 8.126 % | |
123 | Congo | 8.114 % | |
124 | Côte d'Ivoire | 7.571 % | |
125 | Central African Republic | 7.54 % | |
126 | Equatorial Guinea | 7.016 % | |
127 | Micronesia (Fed. States of) | 5.017 % | |
128 | Sudan | 3.856 % | |
129 | Saudi Arabia | 2.3 % | |
130 | Bahrain | 1.072 % | |
131 | United Arab Emirates | 0.306 % |
- #1
Timor-Leste
- #2
China, Macao SAR
- #3
Denmark
- #4
Lesotho
- #5
Namibia
- #6
Sweden
- #7
Norway
- #8
United Kingdom
- #9
Austria
- #10
Trinidad and Tobago
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #131
United Arab Emirates
- #130
Bahrain
- #129
Saudi Arabia
- #128
Sudan
- #127
Micronesia (Fed. States of)
- #126
Equatorial Guinea
- #125
Central African Republic
- #124
Côte d'Ivoire
- #123
Congo
- #122
Cambodia
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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