Europe :: Sweden
page last updated on January 29, 2013
Flag of Sweden
Location of Sweden
 
Map of Sweden
Introduction ::Sweden
A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war for almost two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both world wars. Sweden's long-successful economic formula of a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare elements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment and in 2000-02 and 2009 by the global economic downturns, but fiscal discipline over the past several years has allowed the country to weather economic vagaries. Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public rejected the introduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum.
Geography ::Sweden
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway
62 00 N, 15 00 E
total: 450,295 sq km
country comparison to the world: 56
land: 410,335 sq km
water: 39,960 sq km
slightly larger than California
total: 2,233 km
border countries: Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km
3,218 km
territorial sea: 12 nm (adjustments made to return a portion of straits to high seas)
exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlines
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north
mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west
lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.4 m
highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m
iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower
arable land: 5.93%
permanent crops: 0.01%
other: 94.06% (2005)
1,600 sq km (2003)
179 cu km (2005)
total: 2.68 cu km/yr (37%/54%/9%)
per capita: 296 cu m/yr (2002)
ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic
acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas
People and Society ::Sweden
noun: Swede(s)
adjective: Swedish
indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks
Swedish (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13%
9,103,788 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
0-14 years: 15.4% (male 722,811/ female 680,665)
15-64 years: 64.4% (male 2,967,938/ female 2,897,454)
65 years and over: 20.2% (male 821,647/ female 1,013,273) (2012 est.)
population pyramid:
total: 42.2 years
male: 41 years
female: 43.3 years (2012 est.)
0.168% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
10.24 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
10.21 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
1.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
urban population: 85% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
STOCKHOLM (capital) 1.279 million (2009)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
4 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 178
total: 2.74 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 219
male: 2.89 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
total population: 81.18 years
country comparison to the world: 16
male: 78.86 years
female: 83.63 years (2012 est.)
1.67 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
9.9% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 30
3.583 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
8,100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
12% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 49
6.6% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 21
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2008)
total: 25%
country comparison to the world: 29
male: 26.3%
female: 23.7% (2009)
Government ::Sweden
conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden
conventional short form: Sweden
local long form: Konungariket Sverige
local short form: Sverige
constitutional monarchy
name: Stockholm
geographic coordinates: 59 20 N, 18 03 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarna, Gavleborg, Gotland, Halland, Jamtland, Jonkoping, Kalmar, Kronoberg, Norrbotten, Orebro, Ostergotland, Skane, Sodermanland, Stockholm, Uppsala, Varmland, Vasterbotten, Vasternorrland, Vastmanland, Vastra Gotaland
6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)
Swedish Flag Day, 6 June (1916); National Day, 6 June (1983)
1 January 1975
civil law system influenced by Roman-Germanic law and customary law
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977)
head of government: Prime Minister Fredrik REINFELDT (since 5 October 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Jan BJORKLUND (since 5 October 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes the prime minister
unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 19 September 2010 (next to be held in September 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democratic Party 30.7%, Moderate Party 30.1%, Green Party 7.3%, Liberal People's Party 7.1%, Center Party 6.6%, Sweden Democrats 5.7%, Christian Democrats 5.6%, Left Party 5.6%, others 1.3%; seats by party - Social Democratic Party 112, Moderate Party 107, Green Party 25, Liberal People's Party 24, Center Party 23, Sweden Democrats 20, Christian Democrats 19, Left Party 19
Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen; Supreme Administrative Court note: the Supreme Court is the highest court of general jurisdiction and the Supreme Administrative Court is the highest administrative court
Center Party (Centerpartiet) or C [Annie LOOF]; Christian Democrats (Kristdemokraterna) or KD [Goran HAGGLUND]; Green Party (Miljopartiet de Grona); [spokespersons Asa ROMSON and Gustav FRIDOLIN]; Left Party (Vansterpartiet) (formerly Communist Party) or V [Jonas SJOSTEDT]; Liberal People's Party (Folkpartiet) or FP [Jan BJORKLUND]; Moderate Party (Moderaterna) [Fredrik REINFELDT]; Social Democratic Party (Socialdemokraterna) or SAP [Stefan LOFVEN]; Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna) or SD [Jimmie AKESSON]
Children's Rights in Society; Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees or TCO; Swedish Trade Union Confederation (Landsorganisationen) or LO [Wanja LUNDBY-WEDIN]
other: environmental groups; media
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EITI (implementing country), ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
chief of mission: Ambassador Jonas HAFSTROM
chancery: The House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600
FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699
consulate(s) general: New York
chief of mission: Ambassador Mark BRZEZINSKI
embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31, SE-11589 Stockholm
mailing address: American Embassy Stockholm, US Department of State, 5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC 20521-5750
telephone: [46] (08) 783 53 00
FAX: [46] (08) 661 19 64
blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors reflect those of the Swedish coat of arms - three gold crowns on a blue field
three crowns; lion
name: "Du Gamla, Du Fria" (Thou Ancient, Thou Free)
lyrics/music: Richard DYBECK/traditional
note: in use since 1844; the anthem, also known as "Sang till Norden" (Song of the North), is based on a Swedish folk tune; it has never been officially adopted by the government; "Kungssangen" (The King's Song) serves as the royal anthem and is played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies
Economy ::Sweden
Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole of the 20th century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a highly skilled labor force. In September 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system concerned about the impact on the economy and sovereignty. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for vast majority of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for about 50% of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for little more than 1% of GDP and of employment. Until 2008, Sweden was in the midst of a sustained economic upswing, boosted by increased domestic demand and strong exports. This and robust finances offered the center-right government considerable scope to implement its reform program aimed at increasing employment, reducing welfare dependence, and streamlining the state's role in the economy. Despite strong finances and underlying fundamentals, the Swedish economy slid into recession in the third quarter of 2008 and growth continued downward in 2009 as deteriorating global conditions reduced export demand and consumption. Strong exports of commodities and a return to profitability by Sweden's banking sector drove the strong rebound in 2010, which continued in 2011, but growth slipped to 1.2% in 2012. The government proposed stimulus measures in 2012 to curb the effects of a global economic slowdown and boost employment and growth.
$395.8 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
$390.9 billion (2011 est.)
$376 billion (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
$520.3 billion (2012 est.)
1.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
4% (2011 est.)
5.9% (2010 est.)
$41,700 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
$41,400 (2011 est.)
$39,900 (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
agriculture: 1.8%
industry: 27.3%
services: 70.9% (2012 est.)
5.032 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
agriculture: 1.1%
industry: 28.2%
services: 70.7% (2008 est.)
7.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
7.5% (2011 est.)
NA%
lowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 22.2% (2000)
23 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 136
25 (1992)
18.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
revenues: $287.9 billion
expenditures: $289.3 billion (2012 est.)
55.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
-0.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
38.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
38.3% of GDP (2011 est.)
note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions
1.4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
3% (2011 est.)
5.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
0.5% (31 December 2009 est.)
3.8% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
4.28% (31 December 2011 est.)
$243 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
$232.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
$440.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$422.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
$803.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
$725.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
$470.1 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 21
$581.2 billion (31 December 2010)
$432.3 billion (31 December 2009)
barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk
6.8% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$37.56 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
$37.73 billion (2011 est.)
$177.6 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
$189.1 billion (2011 est.)
machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals
Germany 10.4%, Norway 9.3%, UK 7.4%, Denmark 6.5%, Finland 6.4%, US 5.5%, Netherlands 5.2%, France 4.8%, Belgium 4.7% (2011)
$166.4 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
$176.1 billion (2011 est.)
machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing
Germany 18.1%, Denmark 8%, Norway 7.7%, Netherlands 5.9%, UK 5.8%, Russia 5.6%, Finland 5.3%, China 4.6%, France 4.5% (2011)
$50.35 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
$48.3 billion (2010 est.)
$1.016 trillion (30 June 2011)
country comparison to the world: 16
$853.3 billion (30 June 2010)
$356.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
$338.4 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
$385.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
$358.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Swedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar -
6.819 (2012 est.)
6.4918 (2011 est.)
7.2075 (2010 est.)
7.6529 (2009)
6.4074 (2008)
calendar year
Energy ::Sweden
147.8 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
127.1 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
12.85 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
14.93 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
35.29 million kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
12.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
25% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
46.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
15.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
380,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
413,300 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
316,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
243,200 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
166,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
1.296 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
1.296 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
62.74 million Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Communications ::Sweden
4.6 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 35
11.194 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 69
general assessment: highly developed telecommunications infrastructure; ranked among leading countries for fixed-line, mobile-cellular, Internet and broadband penetration
domestic: coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry some additional telephone channels
international: country code - 46; submarine cables provide links to other Nordic countries and Europe; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Sweden shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway)
publicly-owned TV broadcaster operates 2 terrestrial networks plus regional stations; multiple privately-owned TV broadcasters operating nationally, regionally, and locally; about 50 local TV stations; widespread access to pan-Nordic and international broadcasters through multi-channel cable and satellite TV; publicly-owned radio broadcaster operates 3 national stations and a network of 25 regional channels; roughly 100 privately-owned local radio stations with some consolidating into near national networks; an estimated 900 community and neighborhood radio stations broadcast intermittently (2008)
.se
5.978 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 19
8.398 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 33
Transportation ::Sweden
230 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 26
total: 149
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 74
914 to 1,523 m: 23
under 914 m: 37 (2012)
total: 81
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 76 (2012)
2 (2012)
gas 786 km (2010)
total: 11,633 km
country comparison to the world: 20
standard gauge: 11,568 km 1.435-m gauge (7,567 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 65 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2008)
total: 572,900 km (includes 1,855 km of expressways)
country comparison to the world: 12
note: (includes 98,400 km of state roads, 433,500 km of private roads, and 41,000 km of municipal roads; 215,700 km of these are open to public traffic) (2009)
2,052 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 41
total: 135
country comparison to the world: 42
by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 16, carrier 1, chemical tanker 15, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 36, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 30, vehicle carrier 17
foreign-owned: 35 (Denmark 4, Estonia 3, Finland 16, Germany 3, Ireland 1, Italy 5, Norway 3)
registered in other countries: 189 (Bahamas 11, Barbados 4, Bermuda 14, Canada 2, Cook Islands 3, Cyprus 5, Denmark 15, Faroe Islands 11, Finland 1, France 4, Gibraltar 11, Italy 1, Liberia 12, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 1, Netherlands 12, Norway 27, Panama 2, Portugal 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10, Singapore 11, UK 28) (2010)
Brofjorden, Goteborg, Helsingborg, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Stockholm, Trelleborg, Visby
Military ::Sweden
Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2010)
18-47 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; service obligation: 7.5 months (Army), 7-15 months (Navy), 8-12 months (Air Force); the Swedish Parliament has abolished compulsory military service, with exclusively voluntary recruitment as of July 2010; conscription remains an option in emergencies; after completing initial service, soldiers have a reserve commitment until age 47 (2010)
males age 16-49: 2,065,691
females age 16-49: 1,996,764 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 1,709,055
females age 16-49: 1,650,432 (2010 est.)
male: 54,960
female: 52,275 (2010 est.)
1.5% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Transnational Issues ::Sweden
none