International Comparisons 2026
The same salary, gain, purchase or inheritance worked out in several countries side by side: take-home pay, VAT, capital gains tax and retirement limits.
Around the World
Sending Money Abroad From the US: How Much of $500 Actually Arrives?
Of a $500 transfer, between $460.75 and $494.52 arrives in our five pricing scenarios, a gap of $33.77 per transfer, and a "no fee" transfer with a wide exchange-rate margin delivers only $480.00.
What $100,000 Is Really Worth in 23 Countries: Purchasing Power Parity, 2025
Converted at the market rate and spent in Egypt, $100,000 buys what $637,513 buys in the US; in Switzerland it buys only what $78,022 would, based on World Bank 2025 consumption PPPs.
VAT and GST Rates by Country in 2026: What Tax Adds to a Purchase in 18 Countries
Across 17 countries with a single national VAT or GST, the standard rate runs from 9% in Singapore to 25.5% in Finland, where tax makes up 20.3% of the price on the shelf.
Take-Home Pay by Country in 2026: What a Mid-Range Salary Leaves You in 16 Countries
On a mid-range salary, an employee keeps between 65.2% of gross pay in Germany and 82.1% in United States (Texas) after income tax and compulsory social contributions, across the 14 countries we could compare in full.
Capital Gains Tax by Country in 2026: The Tax on the Same Share Gain in 14 Countries
On the same-sized long-term gain from selling shares, the tax ranges from 9.9% of the gain in India to 35.4% in Denmark, across 14 countries in 2026.
Stamp Duty and Transfer Tax on the Same Home Price: US States vs the UK, Canada, Australia and Ireland
On a home priced at 500,000 in local currency, purchase tax runs from US$0 in Texas to 4.39% of the price in Victoria, Australia; England charges a home mover 3.00%, Ireland 1.00% and Toronto 2.59%.
Retirement Savings Limits Compared: US 401(k) and IRA vs Canada RRSP and TFSA vs Australian Super vs UK Pension and ISA
On a 100,000 salary in local currency, the main tax-advantaged accounts let a saver put away 80.0% of pay in the UK, 32.0% in the US, 25.0% in Canada and 32.5% through before-tax super in Australia in 2026.
Inheritance Tax on 500,000 Left to a Child: Europe, the UK and the US Compared for 2026
On a 500,000 inheritance left to an adult child, tax ranges from nothing in Italy, Andalucía and under the US federal estate tax to €78,887 in the Netherlands and €78,194 in France; Germany charges €9,350 and the UK £70,000 when there is no home in the estate.
Self-Employed Tax by Country 2026: US, UK, Germany, Netherlands ZZP, Spain Autónomo and Sweden
On a mid-range profit, a self-employed person keeps between 66.0% in Sweden and 83.5% in the Netherlands after income tax and compulsory contributions in 2026, with the UK close behind at 83.3% and the US at 79.3%.