The Czech republic, for example: For you to bring home 2,000 EUR net, your employer has to dish out 3,740 EUR. That's about 46.5% taxation -- very close to OP

The Czech republic, for example: For you to bring home 2,000 EUR net, your employer has to dish out 3,740 EUR. That's about 46.5% taxation -- very close to OP's 50%. (and that's not counting VAT and other consumer taxes, we're talking income only here) This is not the "high income" bracket either, that attracts an additional "solidarity" income tax. Like the OP said, nobody really expects to see any pension, and to get good health care, you have to pay private again for that.