Over the past few months, we’ve written several analyses. From the top nations in the world in hours worked, to hourly productivity in terms of dollars. In this new article we delve into a new element. The top nations in the world by total tax revenue as a share of GDP. The data refers to data from 1980 to 2017. Total revenue from social contributions, direct and indirect taxes given as share of GDP.
Top 15 Countries by Total Tax Revenues as Share of GDP – 1971/2019
Globally, which are the top nations in the world for total tax revenue as a share of GDP? Top Countries by Total Tax Revenues as Share of GDP – 1971/2018.
In 2018, the Seychelles archipelago is in first place. In fact, it has a value of 34.12% of total tax revenue as a share of GDP. In second place we find Denmark, where the figure is 34.04% and in third place Lesotho. In 2018 the nations/archipelagos or other that have a value above 30% are 5. Among them are also Nauru and Macau (China). The top mid-sized nations in the world include New Zealand, with a value of 28.98%, Sweden with 27.45%. This is followed by Jamaica, Luxembourg and Malta.
But how was the situation in 1971, almost 50 years earlier? In the first positions we find Kuwait with a value of more than 30 points: 37.43% of the total. Kuwait, in 1971, was the only nation with a value above 30%. Among the first nations in the world for total tax revenue as a proportion of GDP in 1971 we find again Denmark with a value of 29.01%, followed by Israel, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. A good part of the nations, in 1971, were part of Europe. Although there was no shortage of other continents such as Oceania, with Australia and New Zealand. Africa with Tunisia and Asia.
Countries with the highest tax revenues as a share of GDP
Watching the video above you can see not only the general trend over the years, but also the peaks reached from 1971 to 2018. Speaking of peaks, it is interesting to mention the case of Timor-Leste. In fact, in 2011 it reached a record high of 149.29%.
Tax revenues represented almost 150% of GDP.
Another certainly interesting case is that of Malta.
Data from the most industrialized nations according to the International Centre for Tax and Development
Depending on the source, the data may change. In this case we see other data in the database: International Centre for Tax and Development / UNU-WIDER.
Globally, which are the top nations in the world for total tax revenue as a share of GDP? In first place is France. At 46.23%, France has the highest taxation as a proportion of GDP. In second place we find Denmark with 45.38% and in third place Belgium with 44.41%. The first nations in the world with a value above 40% are 7. All nations are part of the European Union.
Among the top 15 nations in the world, almost all are part of Europe. Almost all but one: Cuba. In 2017, the Latin American state has a 38.55% share of total taxes to GDP. What about the situation in 1980, almost 40 years earlier, what was it like? Among the top 4 nations are no less than 3 northern European nations. Sweden, Norway and Denmark have a value in fact between 44.35% and 41.16%. Among the first 15 nations in the world we find not only European nations but also 2 nations from Oceania. In fact, among the top 15, there are also New Zealand with 32.85% and Australia with 27.94%.
Sources and links
I used several sources to make the article and video. For the first data, the world bank database was used.
For the second data: nternational Centre for Tax and Development.
To view the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gENx9NJJLF4
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