ETUDES FISCALES INTERNATIONALES

Rise in overall tax burden in the EU27 to 39.6% of GDP in 2005

In 2005, the overall tax ratio (i.e. the total amount of taxes and social security contributions) in the EU27 stood at 39.6% of GDP, up from 39.2% in 2004. The EU27 tax ratio is nearly the same as in 1995 (39.7%); nevertheless, the ratio is lower than the peak of 41.0% in 1999. The downtrend which had started in 1999 in most countries stopped in 2005. In 2005 the overall tax ratio in the euro area (EA13) was 39.9%, up from 39.6% in 2004. Since 1995 taxes in the euro area have followed a similar trend to the EU27, although at a slightly higher level.

The Press release

The Stat Taxbook