[ur-whale]

> For the level of service offered by the Belgian government, I would argue the tax burden is quite high

This is fairly standard for western Europe (with the exceptions of Scandinavia): very high tax burden, terrible government services.

In other words: at best, you're not getting your money worth, at worst you're being sheared and milked by your government.

[dukoid]

I think Switzerland is an exception, too: low tax burden and good government service in many areas.

[eatonphil]

Very high cost of living though.

[dukoid]

That's similar in Scandinavia though.

[eatonphil]

I've not lived in either but I've traveled through Switzerland and Denmark (and a few other European countries) and hotels and food were 75% to 100% more expensive or so in Switzerland than anywhere else including Denmark.

My brother lived in Switzerland and France (though not Scandinavia) and mostly confirmed that Switzerland has unnaturally high CoL for the area.

[Aachen]

Does Scandinavia have a lower tax burden or better government services?

[dukoid]

Better government services