Tax to GDP ratios

Chile is in the lowest rank of OECD countries in order of tax to GDP ratio.  The ratio rose from 18.9% in 2000 to 22.8% in 2007 before declining to 17.1% in 2009 and then rising subsequently to 19.6% in 2010 and 21.4% in 2011. The 2010 figure was well below the OECD average of 33.8% and has been every year since 2000. 

Figure 1: Tax revenue as percentage of GDP 2000 to latest available data

Tax structures

The main observations for Chile are:

• Revenue from personal and corporate income taxes increased between 2000 and 2011 from 4.4% to 8.6 of GDP but remained below the OECD average of 11.3%.

• The tax ratio for Social security contributions (1.4% in 2010 and 2011) was well below the OECD average.

• Taxes on goods and services declined from 12.0% to 10.5% of GDP over the period and were lower than the OECD average of 11.0% of GDP in 2010.

• Property tax revenues were 0.8% of GDP in 2010, less than half the OECD average.

Figure 2: Tax revenue main headings as percentage of GDP, 2000, 2007, 2010, 2011 

• OECD averages are not available for 2011 as 5 OECD countries have not provided data for that year.
• More comparative information about OECD member countries is contained in the tables linked within the following webpages:
  • Tax revenue trends: tax ratios changes between 2007 and 2011
  • Tax revenue trends: tax ratios changes between 1965 and 2010
  • Tax structures: latest position (2010)
• If you would like to print any of these pages we recommend using the 'landscape' option in your printing menu.