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Sweden

Region: Europe

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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 intermixed 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
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: 5.8%
permanent crops: 0.02%
other: 94.18% (2011)
Irrigated land
1,597 sq km (2007)
Total renewable water resources
174 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
total: 2.62 cu km/yr (37%/59%/4%)
per capita: 285.6 cu m/yr (2007)
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
9,723,809 (July 2014 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 16.9% (male 847,611/female 800,213)
15-24 years: 12.3% (male 617,054/female 582,755)
25-54 years: 39.2% (male 1,937,091/female 1,872,070)
55-64 years: 11.7% (male 571,079/female 568,093)
65 years and over: 20.5% (male 882,653/female 1,045,190) (2014 est.)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 58.3 %
youth dependency ratio: 27.1 %
elderly dependency ratio: 31.1 %
potential support ratio: 3.2 (2014 est.)
Median age
total: 41.2 years
male: 40.2 years
female: 42.2 years (2014 est.)
Population growth rate
0.79% (2014 est.)
Birth rate
11.92 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)
Death rate
9.45 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)
Net migration rate
5.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 85.2% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 0.74% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population
STOCKHOLM (capital) 1.385 million (2011)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2014 est.)
Maternal mortality rate
4 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
Infant mortality rate
total: 2.6 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 2.88 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 81.89 years
male: 80.03 years
female: 83.87 years (2014 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.88 children born/woman (2014 est.)
Health expenditures
9.4% of GDP (2011)
Physicians density
3.8 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
Hospital bed density
2.7 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source
improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2012 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2012 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
0.1% (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
8,100 (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
18.6% (2008)
Education expenditures
7% of GDP (2010)
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: 17 years (2011)
Mother's mean age at first birth
28.9 (2010 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
total: 23.7%
male: 25%
female: 22.3% (2012)

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
National Day, 6 June (1983); note - from 1916 to 1982 this date was celebrated as Swedish Flag Day
Constitution
several previous; latest adopted 1 January 1975; amended several times, last in 2011 (2011)
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
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 - SAP 30.7%, Moderate Party 30.1%, Green Party 7.3%, FP 7.1%, C 6.6%, SD 5.7%, KD 5.6%, V 5.6%, others 1.3%; seats by party - SAP 112, Moderate Party 107, Green Party 25, FP 24, C 23, SD 20, KD 19, V 19
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Sweden (consists of 16 justices including the court chairman; Supreme Administrative Court (consists of 18 justices including the court president)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Supreme Administrative Court justices nominated by the Board of Judges, a 9-member nominating body consisting of high-level judges, prosecutors, and members of Parliament; justices appointed by the Government; following a probationary period, justices' appointments are permanent
subordinate courts: first instance and appellate general and administrative courts; specialized courts that handle cases such as land and environment, immigration, labor, markets, and patents
Political parties and leaders
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) or M [Fredrik REINFELDT]
Social Democratic Party (Socialdemokraterna) or SDP [Stefan LOFVEN]
Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna) or SD [Jimmie AKESSON]
Political pressure groups and leaders
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
International organization participation
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, MINUSMA, 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
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Bjorn O. LYRVALL (since 12 September 2013)
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 Mark Francis BRZEZINSKI (since 14 November 2011)
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 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 the contraction continued 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 a rebound in 2010, but growth slipped in 2013, as a result of continued economic weakness in the EU - Sweden’s main export market.
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$393.8 billion (2013 est.)
$390.4 billion (2012 est.)
$386.7 billion (2011 est.)
note: data are in 2013 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$552 billion (2013 est.)
GDP - real growth rate
0.9% (2013 est.)
1% (2012 est.)
2.9% (2011 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$40,900 (2013 est.)
$40,900 (2012 est.)
$40,800 (2011 est.)
note: data are in 2013 US dollars
Gross national saving
25.8% of GDP (2013 est.)
25.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
26.9% of GDP (2011 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 48.6%
government consumption: 26.8%
investment in fixed capital: 18.3%
investment in inventories: 0.4%
exports of goods and services: 45.8%
imports of goods and services: -39.9%
(2013 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 2%
industry: 31.3%
services: 66.8% (2013 est.)
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
-1% (2013 est.)
Labor force
5.107 million (2013 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture: 1.1%
industry: 28.2%
services: 70.7% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate
8.1% (2013 est.)
8% (2012 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 22.2% (2000)
Population below poverty line
NA%
Distribution of family income - Gini index
23 (2005)
25 (1992)
Budget
revenues: $283.5 billion
expenditures: $294.7 billion (2013 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
51.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
-2% of GDP (2013 est.)
Public debt
41.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
38.2% of GDP (2012 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
Fiscal year
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
0% (2013 est.)
0.9% (2012 est.)
Central bank discount rate
5.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
0.5% (31 December 2009 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate
3.3% (31 December 2013 est.)
3.57% (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of narrow money
$254.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$260.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of broad money
$349.4 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$347 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
$798 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$792.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares
$560.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
$470.1 billion (31 December 2011)
$581.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Current account balance
$39 billion (2013 est.)
$36.31 billion (2012 est.)
Exports
$181.5 billion (2013 est.)
$184.8 billion (2012 est.)
Exports - commodities
machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals
Exports - partners
Norway 10.4%, Germany 10.3%, UK 8.1%, Finland 6.8%, Denmark 6.7%, Netherlands 5.5%, US 5.5%, Belgium 5%, France 4.8% (2012)
Imports
$158 billion (2013 est.)
$163.3 billion (2012 est.)
Imports - commodities
machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing
Imports - partners
Germany 17.4%, Denmark 8.5%, Norway 8.4%, UK 6.5%, Netherlands 6.4%, Russia 5.6%, Finland 5.1%, China 4.9%, France 4.2% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$52.23 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
$50.35 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Debt - external
$1.039 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
$992.5 billion (31 December 2011)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$519.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$500.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$558.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$527.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Exchange rates
Swedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar -
6.58 (2013 est.)
6.77 (2012 est.)
7.2075 (2010 est.)
7.6529 (2009)
6.4074 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production
148.7 billion kWh (2011 est.)
Electricity - consumption
136 billion kWh (2010 est.)
Electricity - exports
31.28 billion kWh (2012 est.)
Electricity - imports
11.68 billion kWh (2012 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
36.51 million kW (2010 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels
13% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
24.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
45.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources
16.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Crude oil - production
11,270 bbl/day (2012 est.)
Crude oil - exports
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Crude oil - imports
398,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production
419,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption
316,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports
261,700 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports
187,300 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Natural gas - production
0 cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
1.53 billion cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - imports
1.129 billion cu m (2012 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
53.15 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use
4.321 million (2012)
Telephones - mobile cellular
11.643 million (2012)
Telephone system
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) (2011)
Broadcast media
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)
Internet country code
.se
Internet hosts
5.978 million (2010)
Internet users
8.398 million (2009)

Transportation

Airports
231 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways
total: 149
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 75
914 to 1,523 m: 22
under 914 m: 37 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 82
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 77 (2013)
Heliports
2 (2013)
Pipelines
gas 1,626 km (2013)
Railways
total: 11,633 km
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)
Roadways
total: 579,564 km (includes 1,913 km of expressways)
paved: 135,444 km
unpaved: 444,412 km
note: includes 104,705 km of state roads, 433,034 km of private roads, and 41,825 km of municipal roads (2010)
Waterways
2,052 km (2010)
Merchant marine
total: 135
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)
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): 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; Swedish citizenship required; 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 (2013)
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
1.18% of GDP (2012)
1.17% of GDP (2011)
1.18% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
none
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 24,006 (Iraq); 20,613 (Somalia); 17,984 (Syria); 10,499 (Afghanistan); 8,954 (Eritrea) (2013)
stateless persons: 9,596 (2012); note - the majority of stateless people come from the Middle East and Somalia

This country information was last updated on January 01, 1970.