What does tax burden measure?

Tax burden measures the proportion of an individual's or a household's income that is paid in taxes. This provides insight into how much of their earnings are being allocated towards tax obligations relative to their overall income. Understanding tax burden is essential for analyzing the impact of taxation on citizens’ disposable income and financial well-being. A higher tax burden indicates that a larger percentage of income is consumed by taxes, which can affect consumers' spending and savings behaviors.

In contrast, the other options reflect different economic concepts. Total income earned by individuals pertains to their earnings without consideration for tax implications. Government spending on public services involves how tax revenues are utilized but does not represent the burden on taxpayers themselves. Overall economic growth rates focus on the broader economic performance of a country rather than the individual financial impacts of taxation. Therefore, the correct understanding of tax burden lies specifically in the relationship between taxes paid and income, which is what the selected answer encapsulates.