UK tax burden compared with other countries
UK tax revenue was 34.4% of GDP in 2024, against an OECD average of 34.1%, according to OECD Revenue Statistics 2025.
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How does the UK compare by country?
| Country | Year | Tax revenue / GDP |
|---|---|---|
| France | 2024 | 43.5% |
| Italy | 2024 | 42.8% |
| Greece | 2024 | 39.8% |
| Germany | 2024 | 38.0% |
| Spain | 2024 | 36.7% |
| Portugal | 2024 | 35.1% |
| Canada | 2024 | 34.9% |
| United Kingdom | 2024 | 34.4% |
| OECD average | 2024 | 34.1% |
| Japan | 2023 | 33.7% |
| New Zealand | 2024 | 32.9% |
| Australia | 2023 | 29.9% |
| Malta | 2024 | 28.7% |
| Switzerland | 2024 | 27.2% |
| United States | 2024 | 25.6% |
| Ireland | 2024 | 21.7% |
| Singapore (definition needs checking) | 2024 | 13.4% |
UAE and Cyprus: no OECD figure in this comparison. Figures for Monaco and Thailand are also unavailable in the supplied OECD data. No missing figure is treated as zero. Singapore's contribution definition needs checking before treating it as fully comparable.
France (2024): 43.5%
Italy (2024): 42.8%
Greece (2024): 39.8%
Germany (2024): 38.0%
Spain (2024): 36.7%
Portugal (2024): 35.1%
Canada (2024): 34.9%
United Kingdom (2024): 34.4%
OECD average (2024): 34.1%
Japan (2023): 33.7%
New Zealand (2024): 32.9%
Australia (2023): 29.9%
Malta (2024): 28.7%
Switzerland (2024): 27.2%
United States (2024): 25.6%
Ireland (2024): 21.7%
Singapore (2024): 13.4%
OECD Revenue Statistics 2025, December 2025 edition, retrieved 25 October 2026. Tax revenue as a share of GDP. Years shown by country. Bars use a 0% to 100% scale.
What does tax-to-GDP measure?
Gross domestic product (GDP) measures economic output. A tax-to-GDP ratio compares a country’s total tax revenue with that output. OECD Revenue Statistics includes social security contributions in tax revenue.
This is a measure of the whole economy. It is not an employee tax rate or the share of a typical person’s pay taken in tax. The mix of taxes, the income base and the structure of the economy all affect the ratio.
The table and chart use the OECD Global Revenue Statistics database, retrieved on 25 October 2026, from the December 2025 edition. They show countries covered by this site’s guides where an OECD figure is available, with the OECD average for context.
Why do the years differ?
Most rows show 2024. Australia and Japan show 2023 because the OECD data contain no 2024 figure for them. Their labels keep that difference visible rather than treating every bar as the same year.
The UAE and Cyprus have no figure in the OECD tables used here. A missing figure does not mean zero tax. Malta and Singapore appear in the wider Global Revenue Statistics database even though they are not OECD members.
Singapore’s figure needs care: the treatment of its Central Provident Fund contributions may limit comparison with countries that fund more provision through social security taxes. That definition detail remains unresolved, so the table marks it for checking.
Does this show where an employee keeps the most pay?
No. For examples of employee pay, compare the UK with Spain, Australia or Canada. Each guide explains the calculation and its assumptions. Use Stay or go to compare salary and rent across the available countries.
The guide to who pays UK Income Tax answers a different question: how the Income Tax bill is shared among taxpayers. It does not measure total taxes across the economy.
Why does the OBR forecast a different UK tax burden?
The Office for Budget Responsibility forecast on 3 March 2026 that UK National Accounts taxes would reach 38% of GDP by 2030-31. This is an OBR forecast, not an observed result.
The OBR uses a different tax definition from the OECD. Its forecast therefore stays outside the OECD comparison chart. Reading the forecast as a direct rise from the OECD’s 2024 figure would mix definitions as well as periods.
See the Budget tracker for announcements and effective dates before relying on that projection.
What else do readers ask?
Is the UK tax burden above the OECD average?
In 2024 it was slightly above: 34.4% of GDP against 34.1%, using OECD Revenue Statistics 2025, retrieved on 25 October 2026.
Why are Australia and Japan shown for 2023?
The OECD data retrieved on 25 October 2026 contain no 2024 value for either country. Their latest available year is labelled in the table and chart.
Does a low tax-to-GDP ratio mean I will pay less tax?
No. It measures total tax revenue across an economy. Your tax bill depends on your income, residence and the taxes that apply to you.
Where can I explore this further?
stay or go tool. Full sourced leavers tracker. Articles and tracker roundups.