Seychelles has second highest tax burden in Africa |27 February 2024
Seychelles ranks as the second country in Africa with the highest tax burden, after Algeria. According to Wisevoter, Algeria tops the list on the African continent with a tax burden of 37.2 percent, followed by Seychelles with a tax rate of 32.4 percent.
Despite ranking second on the African continent, Seychelles is ranked 31 globally, out of 172 countries, while Algeria is ranked 17th globally.
Tunisia, Eritrea and South Africa complete the top five as the countries with the highest taxation rates, with Tunisia’s rate trailing closely behind Seychelles’ at 32.1 percent, while Eritrea and South Africa’s rates are 30.5 percent and 29.1 percent respectively. They rank 33rd, 37th and 40th worldwide.
There is only a 0.7 percent difference in the tax burden of Morocco and Mozambique, which make up the sixth and seventh country highest on the continent. Morocco’s tax rate stands at 27.8 percent, while Mozambique’s is 27.1 percent.
Djibouti (21.8 percent) and Lesotho (20.2 percent) are the eighth and tenth highest on the continent. Mauritius’ 20.4 percent taxation rate places it in ninth position in Africa, and 74th globally.
From the regional perspective, only Seychelles and Mauritius make it to the top ten African countries with the highest tax burdens.
Meanwhile, the Maldives (17.49 percent) ranks 91st, followed by Comoros (17.4 percent) in 92nd position worldwide. Madagascar is placed 144th worldwide, with a tax burden of 11.4 percent.
Tax regimes vary significantly around the world. Taxes paid by individuals and businesses are structured differently from country to country.
According to Wisevoter, Europe is home to some of the highest taxes across the globe. Aside from Cuba (42 percent), only European territories make up the top ten countries with the highest tax burden. Denmark (46.34 percent) tops the list, followed by France (45.4 percent), Belgium (42.92 percent), Sweden (42.91 percent) and Italy (42.45 percent) in fifth position.
Denmark’s high rate is attributed to the country’s expansive welfare system that provides benefits to individuals and families, in addition to investments in healthcare, education and public transportation. Taxes imposed in the country include income tax and taxes on property acquisition.
Austria (42.44 percent), Finland (42.19 percent), Norway (39.93 percent), and the Netherlands (39.33 percent) make up the countries with the highest tax burden globally.
The top ten countries with the lowest tax burdens are: United Arab Emirates (1 percent), Kuwait (1.40 percent), Iraq (1.40 percent), Oman (2.60 percent), Bahrain (3.02 percent), Nigeria (6.30 percent), Equatorial Guinea (6.30 percent), East Timor (6.32 percent), Ethiopia (6.70 percent) and India (6.81 percent).
The tax system in the UAE operates on the principle of taxation neutrality, which means that taxes are not primarily intended for generating government revenue. Instead, they are designed to stimulate economic growth and development. Consequently, the UAE government has introduced various tax incentives and exemptions to promote investment and entrepreneurship.
Overall, there are considerable differences between countries with the highest and lowest tax burdens, largely due to each country’s economic policies with regard to public expenditure, and taxation structures.