Falling to a series low
India Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP moved from 10.57 Percentage in 2015 to 6.93 Percentage in 2022 (−34.4%), an average of −5.8% a year. The series high was 12.02 Percentage in 2018 and the low 6.93 Percentage in 2022.
What India Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP shows
India Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP was 6.93 Percentage in 2022. The Tax Revenue as a Percentage of GDP dataset for India provides a comprehensive assessment of the country's tax collection performance relative to the size of its economy, offering valuable insights into fiscal capacity, domestic revenue mobilization, and public finance trends.
A 42.3% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2018) and low (2022) is 5.08 Percentage. The sharpest single-year move was −42.3% in 2022.
Ranks 28 of 29 countries covered
Among the 29 countries in this dataset, India ranks 28 for 2022, behind Denmark (30.73 Percentage) and Sweden (28.17 Percentage). It accounts for 47.8% of the global total in 2022.
Full series
India Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Percentage.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Percentage | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Trough | 6.93 | −42.3% |
| 2018Peak | 12.02 | +5.5% |
| 2017 | 11.39 | +2.2% |
| 2016 | 11.15 | +5.5% |
| 2015 | 10.57 | — |
Regional context
How India compares across countries
Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP by country, 2022, Percentage. India is highlighted.
1Denmark30.73
2Sweden28.17
3UK26.55
4South Africa26.02
5Israel25.00
6Italy24.61
7France24.55
28India6.93
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP — – Tax Revenue (% of GDP) refers to the total tax revenue collected by the central government, expressed as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Tax revenue consists of compulsory, unrequited payments made by individuals and businesses to the government for public purposes. The indicator measures the relative size of tax collections compared with the overall economy and is widely used to assess a government's revenue-generating capacity, fiscal performance, and tax effort.
The data includes compulsory tax payments collected by the central government, such as taxes on income, profits and capital gains, payroll taxes, property taxes, taxes on goods and services (including VAT, GST, and excise duties), taxes on international trade, customs duties, and other taxes recorded under the IMF Government Finance Statistics (GFS) framework. The indicator is expressed as a percentage of GDP using standardized national accounts and government finance statistics.
The data excludes non-tax government revenue such as grants, fees, licenses, administrative charges, dividends from state-owned enterprises, and income from government assets. It also excludes fines, penalties, most social security contributions, refunds treated as negative revenue, and informal or unrecorded tax collections not captured in official government finance statistics. For many countries, the indicator reflects central government tax revenue only and may not include taxes collected by state, provincial, or local governments.
About this indicator
Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP — – Tax Revenue (% of GDP) refers to the total tax revenue collected by the central government, expressed as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Tax revenue consists of compulsory, unrequited payments made by individuals and businesses to the government for public purposes. The indicator measures the relative size of tax collections compared with the overall economy and is widely used to assess a government's revenue-generating capacity, fiscal performance, and tax effort.
Measured as a Percentage, the dataset covers the available period 2015–2018, during which tax revenue as a share of GDP showed a steady upward trajectory. The ratio increased from 10.57% in 2015 to 11.15% in 2016, 11.39% in 2017, and 12.02% in 2018, indicating continuous improvement in government revenue generation and tax collection efficiency during the reported years.
The year-wise trend reflects strengthening fiscal administration, improvements in tax compliance, and structural reforms that supported broader revenue mobilization. The gradual increase in the tax-to-GDP ratio demonstrates the government's enhanced capacity to finance public expenditure, infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and social welfare while supporting long-term economic growth and fiscal sustainability.
This dataset serves as an important indicator for policymakers, economists, financial institutions, investors, researchers, and international organizations seeking to evaluate India's fiscal performance and taxation efficiency. It supports benchmarking against regional and global economies, assessing the effectiveness of tax reforms, monitoring historical revenue trends, and analyzing the relationship between taxation, economic growth, and public expenditure. The data also contributes to studies on fiscal policy, macroeconomic stability, public finance management, and sustainable economic development.
As the currently available dataset covers 2015–2018, it should be interpreted as a historical reference rather than a continuous decade-long trend. Nevertheless, it provides valuable insights into India's fiscal performance during the period and serves as a reliable foundation for economic analysis, policy evaluation, comparative studies, and future revenue forecasting when combined with updated data releases.
- Indicator
- Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP
- Country
- India
- Region
- South Asia
- Unit
- Percentage
- Coverage
- 2015–2022, annual
- Category
- BFSI
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- data.worldbank.org
Cite this dataset
Using this data in a report, paper or presentation? Copy a formatted citation.
Copied
Frequently asked questions
What is India Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP?
Definition – Tax Revenue (% of GDP) refers to the total tax revenue collected by the central government, expressed as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Tax revenue consists of compulsory, unrequited payments made by individuals and businesses to the government for public purposes. The indicator measures the relative size of tax collections compared with the overall economy and is widely used to assess a government's revenue-generating capacity, fiscal performance, and tax effort.
What was India Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP in 2022?
India Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP was 6.93 Percentage in 2022.
How has India Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP changed between 2015 and 2022?
India Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP moved from 10.57 Percentage in 2015 to 6.93 Percentage in 2022 (−34.4%), an average of −5.8% a year. The series high was 12.02 Percentage in 2018 and the low 6.93 Percentage in 2022.
Which year had the highest and lowest India Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP?
The highest value was 12.02 Percentage in 2018 and the lowest was 6.93 Percentage in 2022.
What does the India Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes compulsory tax payments collected by the central government, such as taxes on income, profits and capital gains, payroll taxes, property taxes, taxes on goods and services (including VAT, GST, and excise duties), taxes on international trade, customs duties, and other taxes recorded under the IMF Government Finance Statistics (GFS) framework. The indicator is expressed as a percentage of GDP using standardized national accounts and government finance statistics. Excluded: The data excludes non-tax government revenue such as grants, fees, licenses, administrative charges, dividends from state-owned enterprises, and income from government assets. It also excludes fines, penalties, most social security contributions, refunds treated as negative revenue, and informal or unrecorded tax collections not captured in official government finance statistics. For many countries, the indicator reflects central government tax revenue only and may not include taxes collected by state, provincial, or local governments.
Where does the India Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP data come from?
The series is sourced from data.worldbank.org (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS). It covers 2015–2022 and is reported in Percentage.
Need more data?
Get in touch with our research team
Need a longer historical series, a custom country set, additional dimensions, or a tailored dataset? Send us your requirement.