Atlas of the Offshore World

The Atlas of the Offshore World is a global data repository that sheds light on how multinational enterprises shift profits, the scope of hidden wealth in offshore destinations, and how capital and labor are taxed around the world. The Atlas is divided in four datasets that provide research-based, public, up-to-date and user-friendly information. Launched in October 2023, the Atlas is a joint initiative of the EU Tax Observatory and Skatteforsk – Centre for Tax Research, funded by the Norwegian government.

Why does the Atlas matter?

Transparent and equitable tax systems are needed to tackle inequality and the current environmental crisis. This challenge is remarkably acute in developing countries where larger domestic resources are needed to finance their national development priorities and to fulfil the Sustainable Development Goals. In this context, the fight against tax avoidance, tax evasion and multiple forms of illicit financial flows have become a top priority in international arenas like United Nations General Assembly, the Group of Twenty (G20), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). However, efforts to reform tax systems and to foster international cooperation have been hindered by a lack of data on fiscal issues and the flow of wealth. While academics had long been analysing offshore wealth and profit shifting, their findings remained largely confined to scholarly circles. The Atlas was conceived as an initiative to bridge this divide, offering up-to-date and transparent data to policymakers, researchers, and advocates to bolster the global fight for fairer tax systems.

The idea for the Atlas stemmed from the recognition that the debate surrounding global tax evasion and avoidance needed a stronger knowledge base. Therefore, researchers at the EU Tax Observatory and Skatteforsk are collaborating to bring existing knowledge to the forefront, providing a platform that offers both country-level and global insights. By doing so, the Atlas ensures that those engaged in tax policy discussions can rely on the most current, relevant data available.

The Atlas is built upon four core datasets, each shedding light on a crucial aspect of global financial flows:

• Profit Shifting by Multinationals – Tracks the movement of corporate profits to low-tax jurisdictions
• Offshore Financial Wealth – Quantifies assets hidden in offshore accounts
• Offshore Real Estate Wealth – Maps the ownership of high-value properties by offshore entities
• Effective Taxation Rates on Capital and Labor – Compares tax burdens across countries and income groups across time

Program coordinator: Annette Alstadsæter