Sweden

Sweden

Introduction

Background

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

Location

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway

Geographic coordinates

62 00 N, 15 00 E

Map references

Europe

Area

total: 450,295 sq km
country comparison to the world: 56 land:410,335 sq km
water:39,960 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly larger than California

Land boundaries

total: 2,233 km
border countries:Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km

Coastline

3,218 km

Maritime claims

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

Climate

temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers

subarctic in north

Terrain

mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands

mountains in west

Elevation extremes

lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.4 m
highest point:Kebnekaise 2,111 m

Natural resources

iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower

Land use

arable land: 5.93%
permanent crops:0.01%
other:94.06% (2005)

Irrigated land

1,600 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

179 cu km (2005)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 2.68cu km/yr (37%/54%/9%)
per capita:296cu m/yr (2002)

Natural hazards

ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic

Environment – current issues

acid rain damage to soils and lakes

pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea

Environment – international agreements

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

Geography – note

strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Swede(s)
adjective:Swedish

Ethnic groups

indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities

foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks

Languages

Swedish (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Religions

Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13%

Population

9,088,728 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90

Age structure

0-14 years: 15.4% (male 722,558/female 680,933)
15-64 years:64.8% (male 2,982,268/female 2,910,135)
65 years and over:19.7% (male 800,169/female 992,665) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 42 years
male:40.8 years
female:43.1 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.163% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182

Birth rate

10.18 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188

Death rate

10.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50

Net migration rate

1.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44

Urbanization

urban population: 85% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:0.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

STOCKHOLM (capital) 1.279 million (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.061 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.8 male(s)/female
total population:0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

5 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 169

Infant mortality rate

total: 2.74 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 219 male:2.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female:2.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 81.07 years
country comparison to the world: 16 male:78.78 years
female:83.51 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.67 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170

Health expenditures

9.9% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 30

Physicians density

3.583 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
country comparison to the world: 26

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

8,100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

12% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 49

Education expenditures

6.6% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 21

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:99%
male:99%
female:99% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 16 years
male:15 years
female:16 years (2008)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 25%
country comparison to the world: 29 male:26.3%
female:23.7% (2009)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden
conventional short form:Sweden
local long form:Konungariket Sverige
local short form:Sverige

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Capital

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

Administrative divisions

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

Independence

6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)

National holiday

Swedish Flag Day, 6 June (1916)

National Day, 6 June (1983)

Constitution

1 January 1975

Legal system

civil law system influenced by Roman-Germanic law and customary law

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

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 ) 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

Legislative branch

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 Democrats 30.7%, Moderates 30.1%, Greens 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 Democrats 112, Moderates 107, Greens 25, Liberal People’s Party 24, Center Party 23, Sweden Democrats 20, Christian Democrats 19, Left Party 19

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by the prime minister and the cabinet)

Political parties and leaders

Center Party [Maud OLOFSSON]

Christian Democratic Party [Goran HAGGLUND]

Environment Party the Greens [no formal leader but party spokespersons are Maria WETTERSTRAND and Peter ERIKSSON]

Left Party or V (formerly Communist) [Lars OHLY]

Liberal People’s Party [Jan BJORKLUND]

Moderate Party [Fredrik REINFELDT]

Social Democratic Party [Mona SAHLIN]

Sweden Democrats [Jimmie AKESSON]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Children’s Rights in Society

Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees or TCO

Swedish Federation of Trade Unions or LO
other:media

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, 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, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Matthew W. BARZUN
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

Flag description

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

National symbol(s)

three crowns

lion

National anthem

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

Economy – overview

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 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 about 90% of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 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.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$354.7 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33 $336.1 billion (2009 est.)
$355.1 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$455.8 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

5.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62 -5.3% (2009 est.)
-0.6% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$39,100 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23 $37,100 (2009 est.)
$39,300 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 1.9%
industry:26.6%
services:71.5% (2010 est.)

Labor force

4.961 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 1.1%
industry:28.2%
services:70.7% (2008 est.)

Unemployment rate

8.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97 8.3% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%:22.2% (2000)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

23 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 140 25 (1992)

Investment (gross fixed)

17.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146

Budget

revenues: $241.5 billion
expenditures:$243.1 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

53% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47

Public debt

39.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70 42.8% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35 -0.3% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140 0.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

3.386% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186 2.38% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$235.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17 $207.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$298.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30 $267.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$705.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20 $625.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$581.2 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 21 $432.3 billion (31 December 2009)
$252.5 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

barley, wheat, sugar beets

meat, milk

Industries

iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles

Industrial production growth rate

8.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36

Electricity – production

129.4 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27

Electricity – consumption

132.1 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24

Electricity – exports

9.085 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

4.686 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

4,833 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94

Oil – consumption

351,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37

Oil – exports

243,200 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47

Oil – imports

546,500 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128

Natural gas – consumption

1.626 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182

Natural gas – imports

1.626 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193

Current account balance

$28.74 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14 $29.03 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$160.4 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28 $134.2 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals

Exports – partners

Germany 10.5%, Norway 9.8%, UK 7.8%, Denmark 6.9%, Finland 6.5%, US 6.4%, Netherlands 5.2%, France 5.2%, Belgium 4.3% (2010)

Imports

$149.5 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29 $121.2 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel

foodstuffs, clothing

Imports – partners

Germany 18.3%, Norway 8.5%, Denmark 8.3%, Netherlands 6.2%, UK 5.7%, Finland 5.4%, China 4.9%, Russia 4.9%, France 4.7% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$48.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33 $47.29 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$1.016 trillion (30 June 2011)
country comparison to the world: 15 $853.3 billion (30 June 2010)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$348.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15 $332.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$336.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14 $347.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Swedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar -
7.5077 (2010)
7.6529 (2009)
6.4074 (2008)
6.7629 (2007)
7.3731 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

249 (2010)
country comparison to the world:26

Airports – with paved runways

total: 152
over 3,047 m:3
2,438 to 3,047 m:12
1,524 to 2,437 m:76
914 to 1,523 m:25
under 914 m:36 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 97
914 to 1,523 m:5
under 914 m:92 (2010)

Heliports

2 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 786 km (2010)

Railways

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) (2010)

Roadways

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)

Waterways

2,052 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 42

Merchant marine

total: 163
country comparison to the world: 39 by type:bulk carrier 4, cargo 20, carrier 1, chemical tanker 31, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 37, petroleum tanker 12, roll on/roll off 32, vehicle carrier 21
foreign-owned:46 (Denmark 15, Estonia 3, Finland 16, Germany 3, Ireland 1, Italy 5, Norway 3)
registered in other countries:194 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Bahamas 6, Barbados 6, Bermuda 17, Cook Islands 3, Cyprus 5, Denmark 16, Faroe Islands 5, France 6, Germany 1, Gibraltar 12, Isle of Man 1, Italy 1, Liberia 10, Malta 3, Netherlands 18, former Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 33, Panama 1, Portugal 6, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Singapore 9, UK 25, US 5, unknown 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Brofjorden, Goteborg, Helsingborg, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Stockholm, Trelleborg, Visby

Military

Military branches

Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2010)

Military service age and obligation

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)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,065,691
females age 16-49:1,996,764 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,709,055
females age 16-49:1,650,432 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 54,960
female:52,275 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

1.5% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

none