At first glance it is not an entirely flattering portrait, for it shows France having one of the highest tax takes in Europe.

According to the study by financial analysts Fipeco, tax revenues in France in 2021 were 47% of gross domestic product (GDP), second only to that of Denmark (48.8%). Only Belgium comes anywhere near either of them at 46%. Ireland has the lowest level of taxation, at 21.9% of GDP. The UK stands at 29%.