No, Canada is not the most heavily taxed country in the world, ranking 22nd out of 38 OECD countries in 2022 by tax-to-GDP ratio. While Canadian families often spend over 40% of their income on taxes, Scandinavian and Western European nations generally have higher overall tax burdens, higher top personal income tax rates, and higher consumption taxes.
In 2022, Canada was ranked 22nd out of the 38 OECD countries in terms of the tax-to-GDP ratio. 1. In this note, the country with the highest level or share is ranked first and the country with the lowest level or share is ranked 38th.
There isn't one single "highest tax paying country" as it depends on what's measured (income, corporate, total tax revenue), but countries like Denmark, Finland, Japan, and Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) consistently rank highest for top personal income tax rates, often exceeding 50-60%, while nations like Belgium can have the highest overall tax burden on labor (tax wedge) for average earners, with high social security. Nordic countries and some European nations generally have high income taxes, funding extensive social services.
Of course, the higher taxes Canadians pay aren't for nothing. Governments use that revenue to provide far more generous family and unemployment benefits than in the US, as well as things like subsidized post-secondary education and government-funded universal health care.
The United States ranked 32nd¹ out of 38 OECD countries in terms of the tax-to-GDP ratio in 2023. In 2023, the United States had a tax-to-GDP ratio of 25.2% compared with the OECD average of 33.9%. In 2022, the United States was ranked 31st out of the 38 OECD countries in terms of the tax-to-GDP ratio.
The 9 best low tax countries for U.S. expats
For a $70,000 income in Canada (using 2025 rates), you'll pay roughly $13,000 to $20,000 in total taxes (federal, provincial, CPP, EI), depending on your province, resulting in a take-home pay around $50,000-$59,000, with federal tax around 14.5% or 20.5% depending on the portion, plus provincial tax and deductions like CPP and EI.
Among the countries with the lowest tax rates in the world are Malta, Cyprus, Andorra, Montenegro and Singapore. Aside from zero income tax, in Antigua and Barbuda, individuals are also free from paying taxes on wealth, capital gains, and inheritance.
The reality is that the effective tax rate of Canada's highest earners is generally lower than that of its middle class, because those with capital to spare earn some (or all) of their income from investments in the stock market, real estate or in startups—avenues that get breaks under the tax code.
The government uses taxes to support the federal, provincial and territorial, and municipal levels of government. Taxes also help pay for the programs and services the government offers.
A tax haven is a country that offers foreign businesses and individuals minimal or no tax liability for their bank deposits. They have tax advantages for corporations and for the very wealthy, and potential for misuse in illegal tax evasion schemes.
There isn't one single "highest tax paying country" as it depends on what's measured (income, corporate, total tax revenue), but countries like Denmark, Finland, Japan, and Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) consistently rank highest for top personal income tax rates, often exceeding 50-60%, while nations like Belgium can have the highest overall tax burden on labor (tax wedge) for average earners, with high social security. Nordic countries and some European nations generally have high income taxes, funding extensive social services.
High-Income Taxpayers Paid the Majority of Federal Income Taxes. In 2022, the bottom half of taxpayers earned 11.5 percent of total AGI and paid 3 percent of all federal individual income taxes. The top 1 percent earned 22.4 percent of total AGI and paid 40.4 percent of all federal income taxes.
A middle-class salary varies widely but generally falls between two-thirds to double the median household income, which nationally translates roughly to $55,000 to $167,000 annually, depending on household size and, crucially, the cost of living in your specific city or state, with high-cost areas like San Jose requiring much higher earnings.
Basic Groceries
It's a win for everyone that basic necessities like groceries are not taxed in Canada. These zero-rated items ensure that Canadians of all income levels can access the essentials without an added tax burden.
Top 5% The threshold amount for those who are in the top 5% is $162,210 annually. Those who fall into the top 5% category are also part of the upper middle class. They earn slightly more than the top 10%, who aren't that much above the average Canadian.