Rising to a series high
UK Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP moved from 24.92 Percentage in 2015 to 26.89 Percentage in 2024 (+7.9%), an average of +0.9% a year. The series high was 26.89 Percentage in 2024 and the low 24.54 Percentage in 2020.
What UK Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP shows
UK Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP was 26.89 Percentage in 2024, up 0.1% on 2023. The Tax Revenue as a Percentage of GDP dataset for the United Kingdom (UK) provides a comprehensive assessment of the country's tax collection performance relative to the size of its economy, offering valuable insights into fiscal capacity, public revenue generation, and macroeconomic stability.
A 8.7% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2024) and low (2020) is 2.35 Percentage. The sharpest single-year move was +5.9% in 2021.
Ranks 3 of 27 countries covered
Among the 27 countries in this dataset, UK ranks 3 for 2024, behind Denmark (33.36 Percentage) and Sweden (27.23 Percentage). It accounts for 194.6% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
UK 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024Peak | 26.89 | +0.1% |
| 2023 | 26.87 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | 26.55 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | 25.99 | +5.9% |
| 2020 Trough | 24.54 | −1.5% |
| 2019 | 24.91 | −1.6% |
| 2018 | 25.33 | −0.4% |
| 2017 | 25.42 | +0.5% |
| 2016 | 25.29 | +1.5% |
| 2015 | 24.92 | — |
Regional context
How UK compares in Europe & Central Asia
Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP by country, 2024, Percentage. UK is highlighted.
1Denmark33.36
2Sweden27.23
3UK26.89
4Italy25.60
5Finland25.33
6Netherlands25.28
7France22.78
8Turkey17.62
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 spans 2015–2024 and indicates that tax revenue remained consistently high throughout the period, increasing from 24.92% of GDP in 2015 to 26.89% in 2024, the highest level recorded during the decade. Following modest fluctuations between 24.54% and 25.42% during 2015–2020, tax revenue strengthened to 25.99% in 2021, rose further to 26.55% in 2022, and continued increasing to 26.87% in 2023 before reaching 26.89% in 2024.
The year-wise trend reflects the UK's strong fiscal framework, supported by effective tax administration, economic recovery following the pandemic, and sustained revenue mobilization. The gradual rise in the tax-to-GDP ratio demonstrates the government's ability to finance public services, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social welfare while maintaining fiscal resilience under changing economic conditions.
This dataset serves as an important indicator for policymakers, economists, financial institutions, investors, researchers, and international organizations evaluating fiscal sustainability, taxation efficiency, and government revenue performance. It enables benchmarking against other advanced and emerging economies, assessing the effectiveness of tax policy reforms, forecasting future revenue trends, and examining the relationship between taxation, economic growth, and public expenditure. The data also supports research on fiscal policy, macroeconomic stability, public finance management, and long-term economic competitiveness.
Overall, the 2015–2024 dataset highlights the UK's stable and gradually strengthening tax revenue performance relative to GDP. It provides a reliable foundation for fiscal analysis, policy formulation, investment planning, and international comparisons while contributing to a deeper understanding of sustainable government finance and long-term economic development.
- Indicator
- Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP
- Country
- UK
- Region
- Europe & Central Asia
- Unit
- Percentage
- Coverage
- 2015–2024, annual
- Category
- BFSI
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- data.worldbank.org
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Frequently asked questions
What is UK 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 UK Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP in 2024?
UK Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP was 26.89 Percentage in 2024, up 0.1% on 2023.
How has UK Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP changed between 2015 and 2024?
UK Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP moved from 24.92 Percentage in 2015 to 26.89 Percentage in 2024 (+7.9%), an average of +0.9% a year. The series high was 26.89 Percentage in 2024 and the low 24.54 Percentage in 2020.
Which year had the highest and lowest UK Tax Revenue as Percentage of GDP?
The highest value was 26.89 Percentage in 2024 and the lowest was 24.54 Percentage in 2020.
What does the UK 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 UK 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 2015–2024 and is reported in Percentage.
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