Tax Burden (% of GDP) 2023
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 | Lesotho | 40 % | |
2 | Namibia | 32.663 % | |
3 | Nauru | 32.097 % | |
4 | Denmark | 31.973 % | |
5 | New Zealand | 28.063 % | |
6 | Sweden | 27.376 % | |
7 | Luxembourg | 26.984 % | |
8 | United Kingdom | 26.874 % | |
9 | Greece | 26.49 % | |
10 | Norway | 26.116 % | |
11 | Austria | 25.647 % | |
12 | South Africa | 25.4 % | |
13 | Finland | 25.363 % | |
14 | Netherlands | 25.241 % | |
15 | Italy | 24.736 % | |
16 | Samoa | 23.956 % | |
17 | Georgia | 23.599 % | |
18 | Cyprus | 23.297 % | |
19 | France | 23.176 % | |
20 | Iceland | 23.157 % | |
21 | Solomon Islands | 22.994 % | |
22 | China, Macao SAR | 22.931 % | |
23 | Hungary | 22.92 % | |
24 | Portugal | 22.675 % | |
25 | Belgium | 22.484 % | |
26 | Botswana | 22.42 % | |
27 | Armenia | 22.389 % | |
28 | Mozambique | 22.353 % | |
29 | Israel | 22.085 % | |
30 | Malta | 21.448 % | |
31 | Estonia | 21.387 % | |
32 | Lithuania | 21.34 % | |
33 | Croatia | 21.184 % | |
34 | El Salvador | 20.883 % | |
35 | Morocco | 20.744 % | |
36 | Mauritius | 20.592 % | |
37 | Fiji | 20.538 % | |
38 | Bulgaria | 20.515 % | |
39 | Tonga | 20.454 % | |
40 | Slovenia | 20.326 % | |
41 | Nicaragua | 19.942 % | |
42 | Kyrgyzstan | 19.608 % | |
43 | Senegal | 19.537 % | |
44 | Slovakia | 19.416 % | |
45 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 19.059 % | |
46 | Republic of Moldova | 18.585 % | |
47 | Burkina Faso | 18.558 % | |
48 | Uruguay | 18.371 % | |
49 | Turkey | 18.222 % | |
50 | Czech Republic | 18.144 % | |
51 | Poland | 17.999 % | |
52 | Albania | 17.802 % | |
53 | Azerbaijan | 17.786 % | |
54 | North Macedonia | 17.758 % | |
55 | Chile | 17.704 % | |
56 | Colombia | 17.533 % | |
57 | Kiribati | 17.532 % | |
58 | Ireland | 17.52 % | |
59 | Ukraine | 17.459 % | |
60 | Zambia | 17.274 % | |
61 | San Marino | 17.269 % | |
62 | Latvia | 16.626 % | |
63 | Vanuatu | 16.502 % | |
64 | Bahamas | 16.198 % | |
65 | Papua New Guinea | 15.935 % | |
66 | Romania | 15.672 % | |
67 | Jordan | 15.52 % | |
68 | Thailand | 15.454 % | |
69 | Spain | 15.001 % | |
70 | South Korea | 14.599 % | |
71 | Dominican Republic | 14.513 % | |
72 | Mongolia | 14.296 % | |
73 | Mexico | 14.224 % | |
74 | Malawi | 14.165 % | |
75 | Philippines | 14.104 % | |
76 | Andorra | 14.096 % | |
77 | Kenya | 14.063 % | |
78 | Brazil | 14.042 % | |
79 | Nepal | 13.945 % | |
80 | Togo | 13.921 % | |
81 | Costa Rica | 13.75 % | |
82 | Singapore | 13.739 % | |
83 | Canada | 13.738 % | |
84 | Rwanda | 13.075 % | |
85 | Côte d'Ivoire | 13.037 % | |
86 | Uganda | 12.968 % | |
87 | Belarus | 12.701 % | |
88 | Malaysia | 12.565 % | |
89 | Ghana | 12.393 % | |
90 | Russia | 12.222 % | |
91 | Cambodia | 12.204 % | |
92 | Kazakhstan | 11.892 % | |
93 | Guatemala | 11.576 % | |
94 | Tanzania | 11.491 % | |
95 | Uzbekistan | 11.006 % | |
96 | Tajikistan | 10.752 % | |
97 | Germany | 10.688 % | |
98 | United States | 10.618 % | |
99 | Paraguay | 10.133 % | |
100 | Argentina | 9.929 % | |
101 | Sri Lanka | 9.879 % | |
102 | Madagascar | 9.515 % | |
103 | Angola | 8.963 % | |
104 | Guinea-Bissau | 8.854 % | |
105 | Switzerland | 8.674 % | |
106 | Panama | 8.408 % | |
107 | Saudi Arabia | 7.804 % | |
108 | China | 7.638 % | |
109 | Ethiopia | 3.931 % | |
110 | Somalia | 2.069 % | |
111 | United Arab Emirates | 0.617 % |
- #1
Lesotho
- #2
Namibia
- #3
Nauru
- #4
Denmark
- #5
New Zealand
- #6
Sweden
- #7
Luxembourg
- #8
United Kingdom
- #9
Greece
- #10
Norway
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #111
United Arab Emirates
- #110
Somalia
- #109
Ethiopia
- #108
China
- #107
Saudi Arabia
- #106
Panama
- #105
Switzerland
- #104
Guinea-Bissau
- #103
Angola
- #102
Madagascar
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2023, Lesotho leads the world with the highest Tax Burden (% of GDP) at 39.9998%, while the United Arab Emirates records the lowest at 0.62%. The global range showcases significant diversity in tax policies and economic structures. The average tax burden across the 111 countries analyzed is 17.64%, reflecting a broad spectrum of economic strategies and government funding mechanisms.
High Tax Burden: Policy and Economic Implications
Countries with a high Tax Burden (% of GDP), such as Lesotho at 39.9998% and Namibia at 32.66%, often prioritize extensive government services and social welfare programs. The presence of Denmark and Sweden in the top ten, with tax burdens of 31.97% and 27.38% respectively, underscores their commitment to comprehensive public services, including healthcare and education. These countries typically demonstrate a strong correlation between high tax rates and high levels of public welfare, which can contribute to higher standards of living but may also impact economic freedom by limiting disposable income.
Low Tax Burden: Economic Freedom and Growth
On the other end of the spectrum, countries like the United Arab Emirates and Somalia with tax burdens of 0.62% and 2.07% respectively, often leverage low taxes to attract foreign investment and stimulate economic growth. The United Arab Emirates, for instance, utilizes its low tax rate to foster a business-friendly environment, crucial for its status as a global business hub. Similarly, China, with a tax burden of 7.64%, balances tax revenue with economic incentives to maintain its rapid development trajectory. However, this approach can lead to underfunded public services, necessitating alternative funding strategies for infrastructure and social programs.
Year-Over-Year Trends and Significant Changes
The past year has seen notable shifts in tax burdens across several countries. Lesotho experienced the most significant increase of 9.56% (a 31.4% rise), reflecting changes in fiscal policy aimed at enhancing government revenue. China, Macao SAR also saw a substantial rise of 6.18% (36.9%), possibly due to adjustments in tax structures to support regional development. Conversely, Norway experienced a decrease of 4.19% (-13.8%), which could indicate strategic tax reforms to stimulate economic activity amidst global economic uncertainties.
Geopolitical and Economic Drivers of Tax Burden
The variation in Tax Burden (% of GDP) is often influenced by geopolitical and economic factors. Countries like Luxembourg and New Zealand, with tax burdens of 26.98% and 28.06% respectively, manage to balance high taxation with robust economic performance due to stable political climates and diversified economies. In contrast, nations such as Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar, with lower tax burdens of 8.85% and 9.51%, may face challenges in expanding their tax base due to economic instability or limited industrial diversification. This diversity highlights the complex interplay between taxation, economic policy, and national development objectives.
In summary, the Tax Burden (% of GDP) in 2023 reflects a wide range of fiscal strategies and economic conditions. High tax burdens often support extensive social programs, while lower burdens can enhance economic competitiveness. The year-over-year changes further illustrate how countries adjust their fiscal policies in response to both internal and external economic pressures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tax Burden (% of GDP) in 2023
Which country has the highest tax burden as a percentage of GDP in 2023?
Lesotho has the highest tax burden at 40% of GDP in 2023.
What is the average tax burden as a percentage of GDP among countries in 2023?
The average tax burden among the 111 countries is 17.64% of GDP in 2023.
Which country has the lowest tax burden as a percentage of GDP in 2023?
The United Arab Emirates has the lowest tax burden at 0.62% of GDP in 2023.
What is the median tax burden as a percentage of GDP in 2023?
The median tax burden is 17.53% of GDP among the 111 countries in 2023.
Can you list the top 3 countries with the highest tax burden as a percentage of GDP in 2023?
The top 3 countries with the highest tax burden are Lesotho at 40%, Namibia at 32.66%, and Nauru at 32.1% in 2023.
What is the tax burden range among countries in 2023?
The tax burden ranges from 0.62% in the United Arab Emirates to 40% in Lesotho among the 111 countries in 2023.
Insights by country
Nauru
Nauru ranks #3 globally in 2023 with a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 32.0966666666667 %. This figure is significantly higher than many countries, reflecting a unique economic structure where the government relies heavily on taxation due to limited resources and a small population. The high tax burden is driven by Nauru's reliance on phosphate mining revenues, which have decreased over time, leading to increased taxation to support public services and infrastructure.
Togo
Togo ranks #80 globally with a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 13.9214440832607 % in 2023. This figure is below the global average, indicating a relatively low level of taxation compared to many countries. Key factors influencing Togo's tax burden include its economic structure, which relies heavily on agriculture and informal sectors, limiting tax revenue potential, and ongoing efforts to reform its tax system to enhance compliance and broaden the tax base.
North Macedonia
In 2023, North Macedonia has a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 17.7577976488562 %, ranking #54 out of 111 countries. This figure is relatively low compared to the regional average in Southeast Europe, where many neighboring countries have higher tax burdens. The country's tax policy is influenced by a focus on attracting foreign investment and fostering economic growth, which has led to a more favorable tax environment aimed at stimulating business development.
Singapore
In 2023, Singapore ranks #82 globally with a Tax Burden of 13.7387885776561 % of GDP. This figure is notably lower than the global average, reflecting Singapore's status as a low-tax jurisdiction compared to many developed nations. The country's tax policies are designed to attract foreign investment and stimulate economic growth, supported by a robust financial services sector and a strategic location as a trade hub in Southeast Asia.
New Zealand
In 2023, New Zealand ranks #5 globally with a tax burden of 28.0632737383432 % of GDP. This figure is significantly higher than the average tax burden in the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting a strong commitment to public services and welfare. Key drivers of this high tax burden include New Zealand's extensive social security system and investments in healthcare and education, which are funded through taxation to support its relatively small population.
Saudi Arabia
In 2023, Saudi Arabia ranks #107 globally with a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 7.80440222909766 %. This figure is notably lower than the global average, reflecting the country's reliance on oil revenues rather than taxation. The low tax burden is also influenced by Saudi Arabia's ongoing economic diversification efforts, aimed at reducing dependence on oil and increasing private sector participation.
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates ranks #111 globally with a Tax Burden of 0.616670519752557 % of GDP in 2023. This figure is among the lowest in the world, reflecting a strategic economic model that prioritizes low taxation to attract foreign investment and stimulate growth.
Key drivers of this low tax burden include the UAE's oil-rich economy, which generates substantial revenue for the government, allowing for minimal reliance on tax income. Additionally, the country's favorable business environment and free trade zones further enhance its appeal to international businesses.
Cambodia
Cambodia ranks #91 globally with a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 12.2035420550215 % in 2023. This figure is notably lower than the global average, highlighting the country's limited tax revenue capabilities compared to more developed nations. Key drivers of this low tax burden include a largely informal economy and ongoing challenges in tax administration, which hinder effective revenue collection.
Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire ranks #85 globally with a tax burden of 13.0371915910548 % of GDP in 2023. This figure is relatively low compared to many other countries, indicating a less extensive tax system than the global average. The country's tax structure is influenced by its developing economy, which relies heavily on agriculture and exports, limiting the government's capacity to implement higher tax rates.
Mauritius
Mauritius ranks #36 globally with a Tax Burden (% of GDP) of 20.5916033847192 % in 2023. This figure is notably lower than the global average, reflecting the country's strategic efforts to maintain a competitive tax environment. The relatively low tax burden can be attributed to Mauritius's status as a financial hub, which attracts foreign investment and encourages economic growth through favorable tax policies.
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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