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Taxes and Growth in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Georgios Karras

    (University of Illinois at Chicago)

  • Davide Furceri

    (OECD and University of Palermo)

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of changes in taxes on economic growth. Using annual data from 1965 to 2003 for a panel of nineteen European economies, the results show that the effect of an increase in taxes on real GDP per capita is negative and persistent: an increase in the total tax rate (measured as the total tax ratio to GDP) by 1% of GDP has a long-run effect on real GDP per capita of -0.5% to -1%. The findings also imply that increases in social security contributions or taxes on goods and services have larger negative effects on per capita output than increases in income tax.

Suggested Citation

  • Georgios Karras & Davide Furceri, 2009. "Taxes and Growth in Europe," South-Eastern Europe Journal of Economics, Association of Economic Universities of South and Eastern Europe and the Black Sea Region, vol. 7(2), pages 181-204.
    • Handle: RePEc:seb:journl:v:7:y:2009:i:2:p:181-204
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Irena Szarowská, 2011. "Changes in taxation and their impact on economic growth in the European Union," Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, Mendel University Press, vol. 59(2), pages 325-332.
    2. Simone Salotti & Carmine Trecroci, 2016. "The Impact of Government Debt, Expenditure and Taxes on Aggregate Investment and Productivity Growth," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 83(330), pages 356-384, April.
    3. Agnese Sacchi & Simone Salotti, 2017. "The influence of decentralized taxes and intergovernmental grants on local spending volatility," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(4), pages 507-522, April.
    4. Szarowska, Irena, 2013. "Effects of taxation by economic functions on economic growth in the European Union," MPRA Paper 59781, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. John MacCarthy & Paul Muda & Prince Sunu, 2022. "Tax Revenue and Economic Growth Nexus in Ghana: Co-integration and Granger causality Test," Bulletin of Applied Economics, Risk Market Journals, vol. 9(2), pages 15-35.
    6. Nazila Alinaghi & W. Robert Reed, 2021. "Taxes and Economic Growth in OECD Countries: A Meta-analysis," Public Finance Review, , vol. 49(1), pages 3-40, January.
    7. José Alves, 2021. "The Sinful Side of Taxation: Is it Possible to Satisfy the Government Hunger for Revenues While Promoting Economic Growth?," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 237(2), pages 85-109, June.
    8. Martin Murín, 2016. "Vplyv spôsobu tvorby fiškálneho deficitu na ekonomický rast [The Influence of Fiscal Deficit Creation on Economic Growth]," Politická ekonomie, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2016(2), pages 176-192.
    9. Szarowska, Irena, 2010. "Recession, taxes and economic growth," MPRA Paper 32355, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Daniela Iuliana Radu, 2015. "European System of Central Banks in Fiscal Policy Community," Knowledge Horizons - Economics, Faculty of Finance, Banking and Accountancy Bucharest,"Dimitrie Cantemir" Christian University Bucharest, vol. 7(2), pages 108-110, June.
    11. Palić Irena & Žmuk Berislav & Grofelnik Barbara, 2017. "The long-run impact of personal income taxation on economic development: Evidence from Croatia," Croatian Review of Economic, Business and Social Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 3(1), pages 35-44, June.
    12. Bayan Mohamad Alshaib & Abdullah Mohammad Ghazi Al khatib & Alina Cristina Nuta & Mohamad Hamra & Pradeep Mishra & Rajani Gautam & Sarfraz Hussain & Cristina Gabriela Zamfir, 2023. "Fiscal Sustainability and Its Implications for Economic Growth in Egypt: An Empirical Analysis," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, December.
    13. Menescal, Lucas & Alves, José, 2024. "Optimal threshold taxation: An empirical investigation for developing economies," The Journal of Economic Asymmetries, Elsevier, vol. 29(C).
    14. Takumah, Wisdom, 2014. "Tax Revenue and Economic Growth in Ghana: A Cointegration Approach," MPRA Paper 58532, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    15. Irena Szarowská, 2015. "Tax Shift by Economic Functions and Its Effect on Economic Growth in the European Union," Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, Mendel University Press, vol. 63(6), pages 2127-2135.
    16. Yaya KEHO, 2011. "Tax Structure and Economic Growth in Cote dIvoire: Are Some Taxes Better Than Others?," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 1(4), pages 226-235, December.
    17. Osman Cenk Kanca & Rahmi Yamak, 2018. "Effect of Average Tax Rates on Long-Run Economic Growth Rate in Turkey," Acta Universitatis Danubius. OEconomica, Danubius University of Galati, issue 14(5), pages 286-298, OCTOBER.
    18. Afonso, António & Furceri, Davide, 2010. "Government size, composition, volatility and economic growth," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 26(4), pages 517-532, December.
    19. Mihai Ioan Mutaşcu & Dan Constantin Dănuleţiu, 2011. "Taxes And Economic Growth In Romania. A Var Approach," Annales Universitatis Apulensis Series Oeconomica, Faculty of Sciences, "1 Decembrie 1918" University, Alba Iulia, vol. 1(13), pages 1-10.
    20. Mkadmi, Jamel Eddine & Bakari, Sayef & Msai, Achwak, 2021. "Assessing the Impact of Tax Policies on Economic Growth in Tunisia: New Empirical and Policy Analysis," MPRA Paper 109023, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    21. Khairunisah Rahmatullah & Azwardi & Sairuki Sukanto, 2022. "The Relationship between the Government Size and Economic Growth in South Sumatra," Oblik i finansi, Institute of Accounting and Finance, issue 3, pages 110-118, September.
    22. Eugenia-Ramona Mara, 2012. "Fiscal Policy in the European Union – Present and Perspectives," Acta Universitatis Danubius. OEconomica, Danubius University of Galati, issue 2(2), pages 156-168, April.
    23. Irena Szarowská, 2013. "Shift in tax burden and its impact on economic growth in the European Union," Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, Mendel University Press, vol. 61(4), pages 1153-1160.
    24. Karpowicz Andrzej, 2022. "What impacts the value of revenues from taxation of income of corporations? Evidence from European Union Member States," Wroclaw Review of Law, Administration & Economics, Sciendo, vol. 12(1), pages 30-53, December.
    25. Irena Szarowská, 2016. "Quality of Public Finance and Economic Growth in the Czech Republic," Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, Mendel University Press, vol. 64(4), pages 1373-1381.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Taxes; Economic Growth;

    JEL classification:

    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • H30 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - General

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