Belize’s tax revenue represents a larger share of its economy than the United States’ does, according to a recent Visual Capitalist ranking.
Published October 1, 2026, The World’s Most and Least Taxed Countries compares countries using 2024 International Monetary Fund data. The measurement is tax revenue as a percentage of gross domestic product, or GDP.
Here are the figures reported for Belize, Canada, and the United States:
| Country | Tax revenue as a percentage of GDP |
|---|---|
| Canada | 29.5% |
| Belize | 23.2% |
| United States | 19.5% |
Among these three countries, Canada has the highest percentage, followed by Belize and then the United States.
What the figures measure
GDP measures the value of final goods and services produced within a country during a particular period. Expressing tax revenue as a percentage of GDP compares tax collections with the size of that economy.
The percentages in this ranking describe national tax collections. They are not personal income-tax rates or calculations of an individual retiree’s tax bill.
The article reports Denmark at the highest end of the comparison, with tax revenue equivalent to 45.3% of GDP. Libya appears at the lowest end, at 1.2%. Belize falls between those extremes.
Read my deeper breakdown in Belize Insider
The ranking provides the numbers. In my Belize Insider article, I explore the separate question of what those numbers mean for Americans and Canadians considering retirement in Belize.
That deeper breakdown covers:
- How to interpret the ranking when comparing retirement destinations.
- Where Belize’s Qualified Retirement Program fits into the discussion.
- The differences between U.S. and Canadian tax considerations.
- How taxes fit alongside the other costs of living in Belize.
Join Belize Insider to read my full analysis: “Canada, Belize or the U.S.? What This Global Tax Ranking Doesn’t Tell Retirees.”
Join Belize Insider and read the deeper breakdown
Written by Cedric Williams
I was born and raised in Belize, and now living in the U.S., I’ve seen firsthand what it’s like to live between these two worlds. My personal experience, paired with insights from others who have made the transition, inspired me to write helpful reports for those considering Belize for expat living.
I have also written books about Belize that are now available on Amazon. You can find them with this link, click here. Also, follow me on YouTube, click here.