Top 10 · economy
Top 10 countries by tax on labor
Income tax plus social contributions as a share of total labor cost, single average earner. OECD Taxing Wages data, latest year 2025, covering 38 countries. Ranked biggest first.
The top 10
1st of 38 · 2025
Belgium52.5 % of labor cost
The other end · bottom 5 of 38
- 34thSwitzerland23 % of labor cost
- 35thMexico21.7 % of labor cost
- 36thNew Zealand20.8 % of labor cost
- 37thChile7.5 % of labor cost
- 38thColombia0 % of labor cost
Where the big countries land
- 29thUnited States30 % of labor cost
Common questions
Questions people ask about tax on labor
Which country ranks highest for tax on labor?
Belgium ranks 1st of 38 countries at 52.5 % of labor cost (2025 data). Source: OECD Taxing Wages.
Which countries are in the top 10 for tax on labor?
The top 10 are Belgium, Germany, France, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Slovakia, Estonia, Finland and Spain — computed from OECD Taxing Wages data, latest year 2025.
Where does the United States rank in tax on labor?
The United States ranks 29th of 38 countries at 30 % of labor cost (2025 data). Source: OECD Taxing Wages.
What is the median tax on labor worldwide?
Across the 38 countries covered, the median is 37.9 % of labor cost. Values run from 52.5 % of labor cost (Belgium, ranked 1st) to 0 % of labor cost (Colombia, ranked 38th).
Is tax on labor higher in Europe or the US?
The median across 26 European countries is 40.6 % of labor cost, against 30 % of labor cost in the United States — it is higher in Europe. Source: OECD Taxing Wages.
Which country ranks lowest for tax on labor?
Colombia sits at the other end of the list: 0 % of labor cost ranks 38th of 38 (2025 data). Source: OECD Taxing Wages.
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More on economy
- Human development indexUNDP composite of health, education and income (0–1).
- GDP per capitaOutput per person, price-adjusted: states via BEA regional price parities, countries via PPP.
- Median income (after tax)Median equivalised household disposable income per person, USD PPP — what the middle household actually has to spend after taxes and transfers.
- PopulationResident population.
- Land areaLand area in square kilometres.
- Cost of livingOverall price level relative to the US average (100).
Who leads the world
- Monacotops life expectancy86.5 years
- Singaporetops homicide rate0.1 per 100k
- Bulgariatops paid maternity leave59 weeks
Belgium leads on tax on labor — see where it lands on every other measure, and which US state it most resembles.
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