The table highlights data about the amount of tax collected (as % of GDP) in five countries (Sweden, USA, Korea, Japan, and Turkey) in 1975, 1985, 1995, and 2005.
Overall, what stands out from the graph is that the proportion of tax increased significantly across all countries except the USA. Sweden recorded the highest proportion throughout the period and also experienced the largest overall increase. In contrast, Japan had the lowest tax collection at the start of the period, whereas Korea accounted for the lowest percentage by 2005, despite a sharp growth during the period.
Looking at the details of the figure for Sweden, it started at 46% in 1975, meaning that the rate for Sweden was the highest one in 1975. After 1975, the proportion for Sweden rose negligibly to 47%, which was almost the same as the proportion for Sweden in 1975. After that, the proportion rose slightly to 51% in 1995. The figure subsequently went up sharply, reaching 70.1% in 2005. In Japan, the amount of tax stood at 15% in 1975 to rise slightly to 16% in 1985. This was followed by a considerable increase, with the figure growing to 23% in 1995. By 2005, the proportion of tax had risen to around 32.1%, which was the largest figure recorded in Japan throughout the period.
The USA, meanwhile, started at 25.1% in 1975. Its share then went up slightly to 25.4% in 1985, before increasing negligibly to 27.1% in 1995. After 1995, the figure for the USA rose marginally to 27.4% in 2005. As for Turkey, the figure stood at 16.4% in 1975. Despite a slight decline to 15% in 1985, it then increased to 24% in 1995. Lastly, the figure for Turkey increased sharply to 27.4% in 2005. Korea followed a similar pattern to Turkey. In 1975, taxes collected from individuals and companies in Korea represented 15.1% of gdp. Having gone up to 27% in 1985, it then decreased to 26% in 1995. Finally, the figure for Korea improved to 27.3% in 2005, which was the lowest figure in 2005.