The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted economic activity worldwide, taking its toll not only on people’s personal finances but on public revenue as well.
The lockdowns interfered with business activity and pushed unemployment to historical heights. In addition, industrial activity has slowed or stalled, and there were sharp declines in business and leisure travel. All of which have driven down collection of individual and business income taxes, value-added taxes, and taxes on goods and services, blasting holes in national budgets worldwide.
It could take more than three years from the onset of the pandemic for developing countries to return to pre-pandemic levels of economic growth, according to estimates provided by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development earlier this year. More advanced economies may see a return to economic normalcy in 2022. (These are the 25 countries where rich are taxed the most.)
National tax revenue is often measured as a percentage of a country’s gross domestic product, which offers a glimpse into how dependent a country is on tax collection. When a country’s GDP declines, tax revenue does, too, which can require adjustments to its tax rates to compensate for the loss of revenue.
To find the 50 countries collecting the most in taxes, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the OECD, ranking countries by their 2019 tax revenue as a percent of their GDP. There were 112 countries with available data. Tax revenue in U.S. dollars also came from OECD. Population and GDP per capita using purchasing power parity in constant 2017 international dollars came from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Tax as a percentage of 2019 GDP ranges from 10.3% in the Kingdom of Bhutan to 48.2% in Nauru, a small Micronesian island country of about 11,000 people. The United States lands almost right in between these extremes, at 24.5% in 2019. (These are the U.S. states collecting the most income tax per person.)
Though the U.S. ranks among the 50 countries collecting most in taxes, it has one of the lowest tax revenue to GDP ratio among OECD member states. The average tax revenue to GDP ratio among OECD member states is 33.8%. All Scandinavian countries rank among the top 10, each collecting the value of at least 40% of their GDP in taxes.
Click here for the nations collecting the most taxes
Source: aphotostory / Getty Images
50. China
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 22.1%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $3.2 trillion — No. 2 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $16,410.80 — No. 54 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 1,402,112,000 — No. 1 out of 112 countries
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Source: Mlenny / iStock via Getty Images
49. Fiji
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 22.2%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $1.2 trillion — No. 65 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $10,997.47 — No. 67 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 896,444 — No. 94 out of 112 countries
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Source: benstevens / Getty Images
48. Ireland
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 22.7%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $88.1 trillion — No. 24 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $90,687.48 — No. 3 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 4,994,724 — No. 77 out of 112 countries
Source: Seqoya / Getty Images
47. Turkey
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 23.1%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $175.6 trillion — No. 16 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $28,384.99 — No. 35 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 84,339,067 — No. 12 out of 112 countries
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46. Guyana
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 23.2%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $1.2 trillion — No. 66 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $18,679.98 — No. 48 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 786,559 — No. 95 out of 112 countries
Source: HonestTraveller / iStock via Getty Images
45. Costa Rica
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 23.6%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $15.2 trillion — No. 45 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $19,017.79 — No. 47 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 5,094,114 — No. 75 out of 112 countries
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Source: jaysunlp / iStock via Getty Images
44. Trinidad and Tobago
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 23.7%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $5.7 trillion — No. 53 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $23,822.92 — No. 41 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 1,399,491 — No. 90 out of 112 countries
Source: xijian / iStock via Getty Images
43. Mongolia
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 24.2%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $3.4 trillion — No. 58 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $11,470.67 — No. 63 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 3,278,292 — No. 81 out of 112 countries
Source: frankpeters / iStock
42. United States
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 24.5%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $5.2 trillion — No. 1 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $60,162.91 — No. 6 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 329,484,123 — No. 2 out of 112 countries
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41. Bolivia
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 24.7%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $10.2 trillion — No. 49 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $7,931.75 — No. 78 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 11,673,029 — No. 49 out of 112 countries
Source: mvaligursky / iStock via Getty Images
40. Samoa
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 25.7%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $212.5 trillion — No. 74 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $6,295.73 — No. 81 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 198,410 — No. 106 out of 112 countries
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Source: dimarik / iStock via Getty Images
39. Nicaragua
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 25.9%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $3.2 trillion — No. 59 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $5,280.14 — No. 85 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 6,624,554 — No. 67 out of 112 countries
Source: GoranQ / Getty Images
38. Korea
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 27.4%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $449.7 trillion — No. 69 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $42,251.45 — No. 19 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 51,780,579 — No. 20 out of 112 countries
Source: AleksandarGeorgiev / Getty Images
37. Switzerland
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 28.5%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $200.6 trillion — No. 14 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $66,358.98 — No. 4 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 8,636,896 — No. 62 out of 112 countries
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Source: wdstock / iStock via Getty Images
36. Jamaica
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 28.6%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $4.5 trillion — No. 57 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $8,739.99 — No. 72 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 2,961,161 — No. 82 out of 112 countries
Source: Grafissimo / Getty Images
35. Argentina
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 28.7%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $127.3 trillion — No. 20 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $19,686.52 — No. 45 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 45,376,763 — No. 24 out of 112 countries
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Source: LuckyViks / iStock via Getty Images
34. Uruguay
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 29.0%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $16.5 trillion — No. 43 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $20,026.04 — No. 44 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 3,473,727 — No. 80 out of 112 countries
Source: Roman Babakin / Getty Images
33. Lithuania
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 30.3%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $16.4 trillion — No. 44 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $36,732.03 — No. 26 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 2,794,700 — No. 83 out of 112 countries
Source: RudyBalasko / iStock via Getty Images
32. Israel
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 30.5%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $120.3 trillion — No. 21 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $38,404.95 — No. 24 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 9,216,900 — No. 59 out of 112 countries
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Source: sfabisuk / Getty Images
31. Bulgaria
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 30.5%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $20.7 trillion — No. 41 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $22,383.81 — No. 43 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 6,927,288 — No. 66 out of 112 countries
Source: Marcus Lindstrom / E+ via Getty Images
30. Latvia
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 31.2%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $10.6 trillion — No. 47 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $29,932.49 — No. 34 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 1,901,548 — No. 88 out of 112 countries
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Source: Robert CHG / Getty Images
29. New Zealand
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 32.3%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $65.6 trillion — No. 76 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $42,404.37 — No. 17 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 5,084,300 — No. 76 out of 112 countries
Source: CampPhoto / iStock via Getty Images
28. Belize
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 32.4%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $594.8 trillion — No. 68 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $6,047.68 — No. 82 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 397,621 — No. 101 out of 112 countries
Source: Leonid Andronov / iStock
27. United Kingdom
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 33.0%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $932.9 trillion — No. 5 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $41,627.13 — No. 20 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 67,215,293 — No. 16 out of 112 countries
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Source: KavalenkavaVolha / Getty Images
26. Estonia
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 33.1%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $10.4 trillion — No. 48 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $35,251.02 — No. 28 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 1,331,057 — No. 91 out of 112 countries
Source: Yuri de Mesquita Bar / Getty Images
25. Brazil
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 33.1%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $608.7 trillion — No. 7 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $14,059.37 — No. 56 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 212,559,409 — No. 4 out of 112 countries
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Source: zstockphotos / Getty Images
24. Barbados
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 33.1%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $1.7 trillion — No. 63 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $12,870.04 — No. 59 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 287,371 — No. 105 out of 112 countries
Source: Aolin Chen / iStock via Getty Images
23. Canada
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 33.5%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $580.8 trillion — No. 8 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $45,910.18 — No. 16 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 38,005,238 — No. 25 out of 112 countries
Source: silverjohn / Getty Images
22. Spain
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 34.6%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $482.8 trillion — No. 9 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $36,219.94 — No. 27 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 47,351,567 — No. 22 out of 112 countries
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Source: TomasSereda / Getty Images
21. Slovakia
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 34.7%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $36.6 trillion — No. 37 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $30,345.68 — No. 33 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 5,458,827 — No. 73 out of 112 countries
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
20. Portugal
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 34.9%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $82.8 trillion — No. 26 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $32,177.97 — No. 30 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 10,305,564 — No. 56 out of 112 countries
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19. Czech Republic
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 34.9%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $87.6 trillion — No. 25 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $38,509.27 — No. 23 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 10,698,896 — No. 54 out of 112 countries
Source: Xantana / Getty Images
18. Poland
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 35.4%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $209.5 trillion — No. 13 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $32,238.16 — No. 29 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 37,950,802 — No. 26 out of 112 countries
Source: AndreyKrav / Getty Images
17. Hungary
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 35.8%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $57.6 trillion — No. 31 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $31,007.77 — No. 31 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 9,749,763 — No. 58 out of 112 countries
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Source: patpongs / Getty Images
16. Iceland
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 36.1%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $8.7 trillion — No. 52 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $51,872.50 — No. 10 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 366,425 — No. 103 out of 112 countries
Source: RossHelen / Getty Images
15. Slovenia
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 37.7%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $20.2 trillion — No. 42 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $37,089.10 — No. 25 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 2,100,126 — No. 87 out of 112 countries
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Source: RobertBreitpaul / Getty Images
14. Greece
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 38.7%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $81.2 trillion — No. 27 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $27,287.08 — No. 36 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 10,715,549 — No. 53 out of 112 countries
Source: bluejayphoto / Getty Images
13. Germany
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 38.8%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $1.5 trillion — No. 3 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $51,259.24 — No. 11 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 83,240,525 — No. 13 out of 112 countries
Source: querbeet / Getty Images
12. Luxembourg
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 39.2%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $27.9 trillion — No. 39 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $110,261.16 — No. 1 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 632,275 — No. 98 out of 112 countries
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Source: mihaiulia / iStock via Getty Images
11. Netherlands
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 39.3%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $356.7 trillion — No. 10 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $54,325.51 — No. 8 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 17,441,139 — No. 43 out of 112 countries
Source: cookelma / Getty Images
10. Norway
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 39.9%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $161.1 trillion — No. 17 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $63,583.74 — No. 5 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 5,379,475 — No. 74 out of 112 countries
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Source: xavierarnau / Getty Images
9. Cuba
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 42.0%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $43.5 trillion — No. 35 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $00.00 — No. out of 112 countries
> Total population: 11,326,616 — No. 51 out of 112 countries
Source: scanrail / Getty Images
8. Finland
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 42.2%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $113.6 trillion — No. 22 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $47,090.73 — No. 15 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 5,530,719 — No. 71 out of 112 countries
Source: RudyBalasko / Getty Images
7. Austria
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 42.4%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $189.4 trillion — No. 15 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $52,119.85 — No. 9 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 8,917,205 — No. 61 out of 112 countries
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6. Italy
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 42.5%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $849.4 trillion — No. 6 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $38,992.15 — No. 22 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 59,554,023 — No. 17 out of 112 countries
Source: scanrail / Getty Images
5. Sweden
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 42.9%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $227.9 trillion — No. 11 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $51,003.28 — No. 12 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 10,353,442 — No. 55 out of 112 countries
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Source: agustavop / E+ via Getty Images
4. Belgium
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 42.9%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $227.3 trillion — No. 12 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $48,203.64 — No. 14 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 11,555,997 — No. 50 out of 112 countries
Source: matthewleesdixon / Getty Images
3. France
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 45.4%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $1.2 trillion — No. 4 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $42,313.19 — No. 18 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 67,391,582 — No. 15 out of 112 countries
Source: scanrail / Getty Images
2. Denmark
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 46.3%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $160.8 trillion — No. 18 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: $55,819.91 — No. 7 out of 112 countries
> Total population: 5,831,404 — No. 69 out of 112 countries
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Source: aksum / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
1. Nauru
> Tax revenue as a % of GDP: 48.2%
> Tax revenue in USD ($): $55.6 trillion — No. 77 out of 112 countries
> GDP per capita: N/A
> Total population: 10,834 — No. 111 out of 112 countries
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