tien jaar na panama papers: superrijken blijven winnen
Den Haag, vrijdag, 3 april 2026.
Tien jaar na de Panama Papers is de schaduw economie nog altijd levendig. Terwijl de Nederlandse trustsector is gehalveerd, blijven de rijkste 0,1 procent meer vermogen verstoppen in belastingparadijzen dan de armste 50 procent van de wereld samen bezit. Volgens Oxfam wordt er nu nog steeds 3,55 biljoen dollar aan vermogen onttrokken aan belastingen. Die cijfers tonen een harde realiteit: de strijd tegen belastingontwijking is lang niet gewonnen. Landen in het mondiale zuiden lijden het meeste nadeel. Nederland blijft een draaischijf voor offshore constructies. Meer dan een derde van alle grensoverschrijdende investeringen loopt hier via. Geen wonder dat critici roepen dat Den Haag hier verantwoordelijkheid moet nemen.
the scale of hidden wealth
The offshore economy remains vast despite international scrutiny. In 2024, untaxed wealth held in tax havens reached $3.55 trillion according to Oxfam [1]. This sum exceeds France’s annual GDP and is more than twice the combined GDP of the 44 least developed countries worldwide [1]. The richest 0.1 percent control 80 percent of this hidden fortune, amounting to $2.84 trillion [1]. Even more concentrated, the top 0.01 percent hold $1.77 trillion [1]. Such figures underscore how a tiny elite dominates global financial secrecy.
limited progress since 2016
Ten years after the Panama Papers exposed mass tax avoidance, systemic flaws persist. While nearly every country now participates in automatic data exchange through the AEOI system [1], its benefits remain uneven [4]. Low- and lower-middle-income nations are largely excluded from these agreements [4]. As a result, approximately 3.2 percent of global GDP still flows untaxed through offshore channels [4]. Although stricter oversight reduced non-compliant assets initially, gains have plateaud since 2018 [4]. Today’s offshore wealth totals $13.25 trillion—up from pre-Panama levels—though a smaller fraction evades detection [4].
netherlands under pressure
The Dutch trust industry has shrunk significantly amid tighter regulations [2]. Once criticized for weak compliance and enabling tax dodging, it has since halved in size due to enhanced supervision and fiscal reforms [2]. Nevertheless, the Netherlands continues to serve as a major conduit for cross-border investments [3]. Over one-third of all foreign investment routes pass through Dutch entities [3]. Experts argue this entrenches the country’s role in global tax avoidance [3]. Oxfam Novib criticizes the government for failing to take responsibility, noting billions in tax revenue are lost annually by other nations via structures based in the Netherlands [3].
global south pays the price
While rich countries recover some lost taxes, developing economies bear the brunt of offshore evasion [3]. An estimated €20 billion could be collected yearly if Belgium implemented fairer taxation policies, research shows [4]. Similar potential exists across Europe, but mechanisms often exclude poorer regions [4]. Christian Hallum of Oxfam International stresses that unchecked offshore systems undermine public services globally [4]. When elites hide wealth abroad, hospitals and schools go underfunded [4]. Bram Joanknecht of Oxfam Novib emphasizes that ordinary citizens ultimately pay the cost of inequality exacerbated by political inaction [3].
calls for stronger action
Oxfam urges comprehensive reform to tackle entrenched financial opacity [4]. Key proposals include adopting a UN tax convention to ensure inclusive cooperation beyond OECD frameworks [4]. Establishing a global asset registry would enhance transparency and enforcement capabilities [4]. Higher effective tax rates for the ultra-rich—especially billionaires—are also recommended [4]. Introducing wealth taxes targeting the top 1 percent could reduce inequality and fund essential services [4]. Negotiations for a UN framework agreement began in 2025 and continue toward a 2027 deadline, signaling growing momentum for change [4].