Huge taxation for scant returns

Families in Greece with an average monthly salary of 900 euros pay particularly high taxes in return for an almost nonexistent benefits policy and a poor education system, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Meanwhile the country has the third highest tax rate in the European Union for medium and high incomes, which in the last few years have faced an ever increasing tax bill, Eurostat data show.

By contrast, the majority of OECD and eurozone countries have been constantly reducing their tax rates, both for individuals and corporations, while improving social benefits.

A closer look at the data presented on Tuesday by the OECD in its "Going for Growth" report and Eurostat indicates that Greece resembles a Scandinavian country in terms of taxation while remaining firmly in the Balkans as far as benefits and education are...