Denmark and Belgium may have held this title in 2024, but France once again has taken the lead as the European country with the highest tax/GDP ratio.
Under the pressure of immense debt and weak economic growth, France’s burden jumped to 46 percent last year from 43.5 percent. The European average is 40.7 percent, according to Fdesouche, citing Le Figaro.
The tax-to-GDP ratio measures the total amount of tax revenue a country collects relative to the size of its economy. It is calculated by dividing total tax revenues (including income taxes, corporate taxes, VAT, and compulsory social security contributions) by the country’s gross domestic product, or GDP.
It was France’s low growth of just 0.8 percent that really hurt it last year, versus just over 1 percent in 2024. Denmark saw its 2025 GDP grow by 2.9 percent versus 3.5 percent in 2024, with its tax/GDP ratio decreasing slightly to 45.1 percent from 45.2 percent.
As the costs mount from the latest round of riots, and everybody eyeing a possible debt ratings downgrade, the prospects do not look bright, even if those in government seem far from worries.
National Rally presidential candidate Marine Le Pen blasted French Finance Minister Roland Lescure for claiming he is little concerned about the taxes imposed on fuel.
“The Minister of the Economy explains that the taxes on fuels ‘do not keep him from sleeping.’ Know this, Mr. Lescure, that they keep millions of workers, entrepreneurs, retirees, and families from sleeping and even from living. Your disdain is unbearable,” she posted on X.
Le ministre de l’économie explique que les taxes sur les carburants ne « l’empêchent pas de dormir ».
Sachez, M. Lescure, qu’elles empêchent des millions de travailleurs, d’entrepreneurs, de retraités et de familles de dormir et même de vivre. Votre dédain est insupportable. https://t.co/MscRVc3bGV
— Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) October 28, 2026
