Relevant data
The overall tax/GDP ratio, that is, the sum of taxes and net social contributions as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), stood at 40.0% in the EU in 2023, which represents a decrease compared to 2022 (40.7%). In the euro area, the tax/GDP ratio also fell from 41.4% in 2022 to 40.6% in 2023.
In absolute terms, in 2023 revenue from taxes and social contributions increased by €308 billion in the EU compared to 2022, reaching €6,883 billion.
The highest tax/GDP ratio is recorded in France, Belgium and Denmark
In 2023, the tax-to-GDP ratio varied significantly across EU countries, with the highest shares of taxes and social contributions as a percentage of GDP recorded in France (45.6%), Belgium (44.8%) and Denmark (44.1%).
At the opposite end of the scale, Ireland (22.7%), Romania (27.0%) and Malta (27.1%) recorded the lowest proportions
The largest increases in the tax/GDP ratio are recorded in Cyprus and Luxembourg
In 2023, compared to 2022, the tax-to-GDP ratio increased in 11 EU countries, with the largest increases seen in Cyprus (from 35.9% in 2022 to 38.8% in 2023) and Luxembourg (40.2% in 2022 and 42.8% in 2023).
By contrast, 12 EU countries saw declines of more than 0.1 percentage points of GDP, with the largest declines seen 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
