France keeps breaking records! On Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Eurostat revealed tax data from various European countries for 2025, and it's none other than France that takes home the — far from prestigious — top spot. The reason? A mandatory levy rate, which includes taxes and social contributions, that reaches 46% of GDP that year, while the European Union average stands at 40.7%.
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An increase of nearly 50 billion euros in 2025
While France takes the lead with an evolution of 49.2 billion euros between 2024 and 2025, it is followed by Denmark where the tax rate rises to 45.1% of GDP, Belgium with 44.7%, Austria with 43.9%, or even Italy with 43%. The Netherlands fall just below the 40% threshold, with a tax rate of 39.6% of GDP. At 22.7%, Ireland is the country with the lowest tax burden.
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France has been in the top 3 for ten years now. Since 2016, it has actually reached the top of the rankings five times. 2017 was the year of records with a rate of 48.5%.
An unfavorable situation for reducing tax collection
What's ahead? Well, nothing to celebrate. Given France's economic situation and the various government measures planned, it's unlikely that the tax collection rate will drop significantly — quite the opposite, in fact. To try to reduce the state deficit to 5% of GDP, Sébastien Lecornu is planning an effort of 54 billion euros. As a result, a rise in taxes or certain levies is to be expected.