Facts and figures from around the EU
- In 2015, tax revenue (including social contributions) in the 28 EU countries stood at 40 % of Gross Domestic Product (monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period), and accounted for around 89 % of total government revenue.
- In Europe, the ratio of 2015 tax revenue to GDP was highest in France (47.9 % of GDP), Denmark (47.6 %) and Belgium (47.5 %).The lowest shares were in Ireland (24.4 %), Romania (28.0 %), Bulgaria (29.0 %), Lithuania (29.4 % ), Latvia (29.5 %) and Switzerland (28.1 %). Find the results for all EU countries here.
- Tax revenues vary from year to year. The main reasons are changes in economic activity (levels of employment, sales of goods and services, etc.) and in tax legislation (tax rates, the tax base, thresholds, exemptions, etc.).
- The economic crisis – together with fiscal policy measures – had a huge impact on the level and composition of tax revenue in 2009-2015. Many countries therefore had to introduce spending cuts.
- You pay tax when you play the lottery! Some countries, like Italy, have put a tax on lottery tickets.