Total general government revenue is everything the state collects: taxes on income and profits, VAT and other taxes on goods, social contributions, and assorted other income. It is shown as a percentage of GDP.
What it tells you
This is the broadest measure of the tax burden. A high revenue-to-GDP ratio means a large share of national income passes through the state. EU members generally sit at the high end internationally, reflecting extensive welfare and public-service systems.
Reading it well
Compare revenue with expenditure: the gap is the deficit or surplus.
A rising ratio can reflect higher tax rates, a larger tax base, or a shrinking private economy — the cause matters.
Source: Eurostat (general government, sector S13), annual.