Tax as a percentage of GDP

Last updated: 2025-04-29

In 2023, Sweden had the eighth highest tax-to-GDPGDP: ratio among OECDOECD: countries. Taxes accounted for over 41 percent of GDPGDP:, compared to the OECDOECD: average of approximately 34 percent.

Beginning in the 1960s and 1970s, Sweden saw a sharp rise in tax levels, which peaked in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During the 2000s, the tax-to-GDPGDP: ratio generally declined, largely as a result of income tax cuts. However, in recent years, this trendtrend: has slightly reversed. Following the 2008 financial crisis in Europe and the subsequent pandemic, many OECDOECD: countries raised their tax-to-GDPGDP: ratios to address the emerging challenges, surpassing Sweden in the rankings.

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