Relevant data
The overall tax-to-GDP ratio, i.e. the sum of net taxes and social contributions as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), stood at 40.0% in the EU in 2023, down from 40.7% in 2022. In the euro area, the tax-to-GDP ratio also declined from 41.4% in 2022 to 40.6% in 2023.
In absolute terms, revenue from taxes and social contributions increased by EUR 308 billion in the EU in 2023 compared with 2022, to EUR 6 883 billion.
The highest tax-to-GDP ratios are found in France, Belgium and Denmark.
In 2023, the tax-to-GDP ratio varied significantly across EU countries, with the highest proportions of taxes and social contributions as a percentage of GDP in France (45.6%), Belgium (44.8%) and Denmark (44.1%).
At the other end of the scale, Ireland (22.7%), Romania (27.0%) and Malta (27.1%) had the lowest proportions.
The largest increases in the tax-to-GDP ratio are in Cyprus and Luxembourg.
In 2023, compared to 2022, the tax-to-GDP ratio increased in 11 EU countries, with the largest increases in Cyprus (from 35.9% in 2022 to 38.8% in 2023) and Luxembourg (40.2% in 2022 and 42.8% in 2023).
In contrast, 12 EU countries recorded decreases of more than 0.1 percentage points of GDP, with the largest decreases observed in Greece (from 42.8 % in 2022 to 40.7 % in 2023) and France (from 47.6 % in 2022 to 45.6 % in 2023).
More information at EUROSTAT