New Delhi, Feb. 14 -- The idea of paying nearly half your income in taxes can sound excessive. But what if the trade-off was greater job security and state-funded long-term benefits such as healthcare, education, and retirement?

When Sutirtha Chakraborty and Jayita Chatterjee moved to Norway nine years ago for Chakraborty's role to be a government doctor, the country's strong welfare model did not immediately appeal to them, especially when they saw a significant portion of their income going towards taxes and the rest into Norway's famously high cost of living.

Over time, however, as they navigated the responsibilities of raising a child and began thinking seriously about retirement, their perspective evolved. What once felt burdensome...