I live in Hungary where the tax rate is 27 % and probably going up to 30% next year.
Wages are very low here, super low compaired to Denmark.
The health coverage is not 100% free either unless your work place covers you.
For the old, unemployed it costs around $40. a month out of pocket.
All doctors expect an under the table tip for office visits or operations. no strong arm tactics but not tip then don't expect much on your next visit. My FIL didn't tip his dentist in HU and got the wrong tooth pulled out.
As everyone can see lately in the news here in HU the gov. is very corrupt and everyone who can is leaving the country for western Europe.
Sad really because there were high hopes here back in 1989, the wrong people were given power obviously.
Social programs require money, and government money comes from taxes. Denmark has a lot of social programs, so they need a lot of money and therefore levy a lot of taxes.
Not all health care is government run, there are plenty of private doctors, clinics and hospitals
Same with schools. There are loads of private schools that you can pay to attend
High taxes subsidise health care, education, etc.
Because they are a socialist country and all programs are government run like health care and schools.
