Tax Revenue (% of GDP) 2019

Tax revenue as a share of GDP by country. Compare how much governments collect in taxes relative to economic output, using World Bank data since 2001.

138 data points•Updated 9/22/2026•Global Coverage•Tax revenue (% of GDP), World Bank (WB)•

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
1	Denmark	34.977 % of GDP
2	Nauru	34.149 % of GDP
3	Lesotho	32.542 % of GDP
4	Namibia	30.393 % of GDP
5	China, Macao SAR	29.809 % of GDP
6	New Zealand	28.268 % of GDP
7	Sweden	27.701 % of GDP
8	Luxembourg	26.888 % of GDP
9	Mozambique	26.683 % of GDP
10	Greece	25.932 % of GDP
11	Austria	25.81 % of GDP
12	Jamaica	25.526 % of GDP
13	Malta	25.103 % of GDP
14	United Kingdom	24.914 % of GDP
15	South Africa	24.867 % of GDP
16	Italy	24.662 % of GDP
17	France	24.661 % of GDP
18	Eswatini	24.528 % of GDP
19	Samoa	24.395 % of GDP
20	Netherlands	23.702 % of GDP
21	Australia	23.314 % of GDP
22	Fiji	23.249 % of GDP
23	Cyprus	23.079 % of GDP
24	Serbia	23 % of GDP
25	Georgia	22.897 % of GDP
26	Timor-Leste	22.813 % of GDP
27	Belgium	22.471 % of GDP
28	Portugal	22.447 % of GDP
29	Norway	22.432 % of GDP
30	Kiribati	22.309 % of GDP
31	Israel	22.297 % of GDP
32	Armenia	22.285 % of GDP
33	Hungary	22.24 % of GDP
34	Solomon Islands	22.232 % of GDP
35	Croatia	21.973 % of GDP
36	Slovenia	21.699 % of GDP
37	Iceland	21.665 % of GDP
38	Tonga	21.14 % of GDP
39	Botswana	21.099 % of GDP
40	Estonia	21.063 % of GDP
41	Finland	20.785 % of GDP
42	Bulgaria	20.595 % of GDP
43	Lithuania	20.089 % of GDP
44	Maldives	19.941 % of GDP
45	Morocco	19.914 % of GDP
46	Micronesia (Fed. States of)	19.863 % of GDP
47	Bosnia and Herzegovina	19.827 % of GDP
48	Nepal	19.809 % of GDP
49	Czech Republic	19.661 % of GDP
50	Ukraine	19.196 % of GDP
51	Mauritius	19.131 % of GDP
52	Slovakia	18.76 % of GDP
53	Marshall Islands	18.601 % of GDP
54	Senegal	18.419 % of GDP
55	Palau	18.366 % of GDP
56	Cabo Verde	18.224 % of GDP
57	El Salvador	18.081 % of GDP
58	Albania	17.931 % of GDP
59	Uruguay	17.865 % of GDP
60	Chile	17.717 % of GDP
61	Republic of Moldova	17.656 % of GDP
62	Nicaragua	17.422 % of GDP
63	Ireland	17.36 % of GDP
64	Poland	17.141 % of GDP
65	North Macedonia	17.083 % of GDP
66	San Marino	16.913 % of GDP
67	Mongolia	16.851 % of GDP
68	Trinidad and Tobago	16.757 % of GDP
69	Zambia	16.678 % of GDP
70	Bahamas	16.56 % of GDP
71	Turkey	16.53 % of GDP
72	Latvia	16.2 % of GDP
73	Kyrgyzstan	15.964 % of GDP
74	Burkina Faso	15.641 % of GDP
75	Vanuatu	15.522 % of GDP
76	Lebanon	15.405 % of GDP
77	Thailand	15.398 % of GDP
78	Kenya	15.1 % of GDP
79	Colombia	14.901 % of GDP
80	Cambodia	14.571 % of GDP
81	Romania	14.546 % of GDP
82	Peru	14.525 % of GDP
83	Bhutan	14.498 % of GDP
84	Philippines	14.488 % of GDP
85	Rwanda	14.369 % of GDP
86	South Korea	14.335 % of GDP
87	Azerbaijan	14.19 % of GDP
88	Andorra	13.934 % of GDP
89	Brazil	13.738 % of GDP
90	Spain	13.658 % of GDP
91	Togo	13.583 % of GDP
92	Jordan	13.554 % of GDP
93	Burundi	13.512 % of GDP
94	Ecuador	13.401 % of GDP
95	Dominican Republic	13.351 % of GDP
96	Belarus	13.302 % of GDP
97	Costa Rica	13.251 % of GDP
98	Singapore	13.154 % of GDP
99	Papua New Guinea	13.022 % of GDP
100	Mexico	12.788 % of GDP
101	Canada	12.742 % of GDP
102	Mali	12.237 % of GDP
103	Uganda	12.236 % of GDP
104	Cameroon	12.028 % of GDP
105	Ghana	11.997 % of GDP
106	Malawi	11.975 % of GDP
107	Malaysia	11.936 % of GDP
108	Germany	11.902 % of GDP
109	Kazakhstan	11.787 % of GDP
110	Côte d'Ivoire	11.665 % of GDP
111	Gabon	11.48 % of GDP
112	Laos	11.466 % of GDP
113	Angola	11.225 % of GDP
114	Tanzania	11.019 % of GDP
115	Russia	10.938 % of GDP
116	Sri Lanka	10.904 % of GDP
117	Uzbekistan	10.839 % of GDP
118	Madagascar	10.532 % of GDP
119	Guatemala	10.435 % of GDP
120	Argentina	10.392 % of GDP
121	Paraguay	9.996 % of GDP
122	United States	9.885 % of GDP
123	Switzerland	9.705 % of GDP
124	Equatorial Guinea	9.302 % of GDP
125	Panama	8.85 % of GDP
126	Guinea-Bissau	8.534 % of GDP
127	China	8.329 % of GDP
128	Central African Republic	8.318 % of GDP
129	Bangladesh	7.639 % of GDP
130	Congo	7.102 % of GDP
131	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	7.048 % of GDP
132	Ethiopia	6.662 % of GDP
133	Saudi Arabia	6.602 % of GDP
134	Myanmar	6.018 % of GDP
135	Bahrain	2.878 % of GDP
136	Somalia	2.002 % of GDP
137	Iraq	1.345 % of GDP
138	United Arab Emirates	0.937 % of GDP

↑Top 10 Countries

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

↓Bottom 10 Countries

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

Analysis & Context

In 2019, Denmark had the highest Tax Revenue (% of GDP) at 34.98%, while the global range spanned from 0.94% in the United Arab Emirates to Denmark's peak. The global average was 16.85%, highlighting significant variation in how countries collect taxes relative to their economic output.

Economic Structures and High Tax Revenue Ratios

Countries with higher Tax Revenue (% of GDP), such as Denmark (34.98%) and Sweden (27.70%), often have expansive welfare states and comprehensive social services. These nations fund extensive public services, including healthcare and education, through robust tax systems. The high tax revenue in New Zealand (28.27%) and Luxembourg (26.89%) also reflects their advanced economies and the need to support sophisticated welfare mechanisms. These countries typically maintain high levels of trust in government institutions, which facilitate efficient tax collection and compliance.

Factors Behind Low Tax Revenue

Conversely, nations like the United Arab Emirates (0.94%) and Iraq (1.34%) show minimal tax revenue as a percentage of GDP. This is often due to economic structures heavily reliant on natural resources, where government revenue is primarily derived from oil exports rather than taxation. In these countries, the reliance on resource extraction diminishes the need for comprehensive tax systems. Additionally, political instability and governance challenges can impede the development of effective tax collection frameworks, as seen in Somalia (2.00%) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (7.05%).

Year-over-Year Changes: Notable Movers

Examining the year-over-year changes, Mozambique experienced a significant increase in its tax revenue by 5.49% (25.9%), reflecting efforts to enhance tax compliance and broaden the tax base. Similarly, Nauru saw a rise of 5.30% (18.4%), which may be attributed to economic reforms and improved governance. On the other hand, Micronesia faced a substantial decrease of 5.84% (-22.7%), potentially linked to declining economic activity or shifts in external aid, which significantly impacts smaller economies.

Policy Implications and Economic Health

The variation in Tax Revenue (% of GDP) among countries underscores the influence of fiscal policies and economic health. High tax revenue ratios in countries like Denmark and Sweden suggest efficient tax systems that support public goods and services, contributing to overall economic stability and quality of life. In contrast, countries with lower tax revenue may need to diversify their economies and enhance tax collection mechanisms to ensure sustainable development. For instance, increasing tax revenue could help Myanmar (6.02%) strengthen its public sector and reduce dependency on external funding.

The data from 2019 illustrates the diverse fiscal landscapes across the globe, where economic structures, resource dependence, and governance significantly influence Tax Revenue (% of GDP). Understanding these dynamics can guide policymakers in crafting strategies to optimize tax systems and improve economic resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tax Revenue (% of GDP) in 2019

Which country had the highest tax revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2019?

Denmark had the highest tax revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2019, with 34.98%.

Which country had the lowest tax revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2019?

The United Arab Emirates had the lowest tax revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2019, with 0.94%.

What was the average tax revenue as a percentage of GDP across all countries in 2019?

The average tax revenue as a percentage of GDP across all countries was 16.85% in 2019.

What was the median tax revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2019?

The median tax revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2019 was 16.62%.

Which countries were in the top 3 for tax revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2019?

The top 3 countries for tax revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2019 were Denmark (34.98%), Nauru (34.15%), and Lesotho (32.54%).

How many countries were included in the dataset for tax revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2019?

The dataset included 138 countries for tax revenue as a percentage of GDP in 2019.

Insights by country

Lesotho

In 2019, Lesotho achieved a remarkable rank of #3 globally in terms of Tax Revenue (% of GDP), with a value of 32.5421709597017 % of GDP. This figure is significantly higher than the average tax revenue for sub-Saharan Africa, which typically hovers around 15-20% of GDP. The high tax revenue can be attributed to Lesotho's unique economic structure, heavily reliant on remittances from Basotho working in South Africa, coupled with a relatively efficient tax administration system.

Malaysia

In 2019, Malaysia ranked #107 globally with a Tax Revenue (% of GDP) of 11.9363488299347 % of GDP. This figure is notably lower than the global average, indicating challenges in revenue generation compared to more developed economies. Contributing factors include a reliance on oil exports, which can be volatile, and a relatively narrow tax base that limits overall revenue collection.

Chile

In 2019, Chile ranked #60 globally for Tax Revenue (% of GDP) at 17.7173642631894 % of GDP. This figure is lower than the average tax revenue of 23% among OECD countries, indicating potential room for fiscal policy improvements. Key drivers of this statistic include Chile's reliance on copper exports, which can create volatility in revenue, and a relatively low tax base due to a significant informal economy.

Republic of Moldova

In 2019, the Republic of Moldova achieved a global rank of #61 with a tax revenue of 17.656290127877 % of GDP. This figure is notably lower than the European Union average, reflecting challenges in tax collection and compliance. Contributing factors include a largely informal economy and a reliance on remittances, which can complicate tax assessments and reduce the overall tax base.

Austria

In 2019, Austria ranked #11 globally for Tax Revenue (% of GDP) at 25.8096620383826 % of GDP. This figure is significantly higher than the global average, reflecting Austria's robust tax system compared to lower-ranked countries. The strong performance is driven by a combination of a well-developed welfare state, high income levels, and comprehensive tax policies that support public services and infrastructure.

China

In 2019, China ranked #127 globally with a tax revenue of 8.32942550168391 % of GDP. This figure is notably lower than the global average, reflecting a more significant reliance on state-owned enterprises and lower tax rates compared to many developed nations. Factors such as rapid economic growth, a large informal economy, and ongoing tax reforms contribute to this relatively low tax revenue as a percentage of GDP.

Guinea-Bissau

In 2019, Guinea-Bissau ranked #126 globally with a tax revenue of 8.53391831790515 % of GDP. This figure is notably lower than the global average, reflecting the country's ongoing economic challenges and reliance on external aid. Contributing factors include a limited tax base due to a predominantly informal economy and political instability that hampers effective tax collection and governance.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica ranked #97 globally with a tax revenue of 13.2510500783969 % of GDP in 2019. This figure is below the average for Latin America, where many countries typically exceed 20% of GDP in tax revenue. The relatively low tax revenue can be attributed to the country's reliance on tourism and agriculture, which are vulnerable to global market fluctuations and have lower tax bases compared to industrialized sectors.

San Marino

In 2019, San Marino ranked #66 globally with a Tax Revenue (% of GDP) of 16.912733956372 % of GDP. This figure is relatively low compared to many European nations, reflecting the country's unique economic structure. San Marino's economy is heavily reliant on tourism and manufacturing, which influences its tax collection capabilities and policies.

Canada

In 2019, Canada ranked #101 globally with a tax revenue of 12.7416613646109 % of GDP. This figure is notably lower than the average for OECD countries, which typically exceed 30% of GDP. Contributing factors include Canada’s relatively low corporate tax rates and the significant reliance on resource extraction, which can lead to fluctuating revenue streams based on global commodity prices.

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

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