Central government total tax revenue in Sweden 2012-2022

From 2012 to 2022, the tax revenue of the Swedish government increased steadily, except for 2020, which was the year COVID-19 hit the Swedish economy. The revenues include direct and indirect tax on labor, tax on capital and consumption, as well as tax on imports. Sweden has a relatively high tax ratio, and in 2022, the tax ratio was 42 percent of the gross domestic product.

Central government income balance

In 2021, the central government revenue amounted to just below 1.2 trillion Swedish kronor. Meanwhile, the expenditure amounted to approximately 1.1 trillion kronor, meaning that the budget balance was plus 78 billion kronor that year.  

Central government expenditure distribution

The largest share of the public expenditure in Sweden in 2022 was distributed to social protection and reached more than 30 percent of the total public expenditure. Social protection covers important functions such as health and childcare, but also social benefits, such as unemployment, social welfare, and pensions. The second largest share of the expenditure went to public administration.