1999 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1999 (Internet Archive)
Introduction
Background
Having long lost its military prowess of the 17th century, Sweden has evolved into a prosperous and peaceful constitutional monarchy with a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare elements. As the 20th century comes to an end, this long successful formula is being undermined by high unemployment; the rising cost of a "cradle to the grave" welfare state; the decline of Sweden's competitive position in world markets; and indecision over the country's role in the political and economic integration of Europe. A member of the European Union, Sweden chose not to participate in the introduction of the euro on 1 January 1999.
Geography
Area
total: 449,964 sq km land: 410,928 sq km water: 39,036 sq km
Area--comparative
slightly larger than California
Climate
temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north
Coastline
3,218 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m
Environment--current issues
acid rain damaging 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-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geographic coordinates
62 00 N, 15 00 E
Geography--note
strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas
Irrigated land
1,150 sq km (1993 est.)
Land boundaries
total: 2,205 km border countries: Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 km
Land use
arable land: 7% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 1% forests and woodland: 68% other: 24% (1993 est.)
Location
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway
Map references
Europe
Maritime claims
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlines territorial sea: 12 nm (adjustments made to return a portion of straits to high seas)
Natural hazards
ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic
Natural resources
zinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber, uranium, hydropower
Terrain
mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west
People and Society
Age structure
0-14 years: 19% (male 856,819; female 812,958) 15-64 years: 64% (male 2,896,383; female 2,802,571) 65 years and over: 17% (male 651,549; female 891,016) (1999 est.)
Birth rate
12 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate
10.77 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Ethnic groups
white, Lapp (Sami), foreign-born or first-generation immigrants 12% (Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks)
Infant mortality rate
3.91 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Languages
Swedish note: small Lappand Finnish-speaking minorities
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 79.29 years male: 76.61 years female: 82.11 years (1999 est.)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1979 est.) male: NA% female: NA%
Nationality
noun: Swede(s) adjective: Swedish
Net migration rate
1.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Population
8,911,296 (July 1999 est.)
Population growth rate
0.29% (1999 est.)
Religions
Evangelical Lutheran 94%, Roman Catholic 1.5%, Pentecostal 1%, other 3.5% (1987)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.83 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Government
Administrative divisions
21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarnas, Gavleborgs, Gotlands, Hallands, Jamtlands, Jonkopings, Kalmar, Kronobergs, Norrbottens, Orebro, Ostergotlands, Skane, Sodermanlands, Stockholms, Uppsala, Varmlands, Vasterbottens, Vasternorrlands, Vastmanlands, Vastra Gotalands
Capital
Stockholm
Constitution
1 January 1975
Country name
conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden conventional short form: Sweden local long form: Konungariket Sverige local short form: Sverige
Data code
SW
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 Goran PERSSON (since 21 March 1996) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister elected by the Parliament; election last held NA September 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: Goran PERSSON reelected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote--131 votes out of 349
Flag description
blue with a yellow cross that extends 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)
Government type
constitutional monarchy
Independence
6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king); 6 June 1809 (constitutional monarchy was established)
International organization participation
ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MTCR, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rolf EKEUS chancery: 1501 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1702 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lyndon Lowell OLSON, Jr. embassy: Strandvagen 101, S-115 89 Stockholm mailing address: American Embassy Stockholm, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5750 (pouch)
Judicial branch
Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen, judges are appointed by the government (prime minister and cabinet) Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party [Goran formal leader but party spokesperson is Briger SCHLAUG]
Legal system
civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
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 20 September 1998 (next to be held NA September 2002) election results: percent of vote by party--Social Democrats 36.5%, Moderates 22.7%, Left Party 12%, Christian Democrats 11.8%, Center Party 5.1%, Liberal Party 4.7%, Greens 4.5%; seats by party--Social Democrats 131, Moderates 82, Left Party 43, Christian Democrats 42, Center Party 18, Liberal Party 17, Greens 16
National holiday
Day of the Swedish Flag, 6 June
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture--products
grains, sugar beets, potatoes; meat, milk
Budget
revenues: $109.4 billion expenditures: $146.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY95/96)
Currency
1 Swedish krona (SKr) = 100 oere
Debt--external
$66.5 billion (1994)
Economic aid--donor
ODA, $1.7 billion (1995)
Economy--overview
Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole twentieth 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. 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 only 2% of GDP and 2% of the jobs. In recent years, however, this extraordinarily favorable picture has been clouded by budgetary difficulties, inflation, high unemployment, and a gradual loss of competitiveness in international markets. Sweden has harmonized its economic policies with those of the EU, which it joined at the start of 1995. Sweden decided not to join the euro system at its outset in January 1999 but plans to hold a referendum in 2000 on whether to join. Annual GDP growth is forecast for 2.2% and 2.6% in 1999 and 2000 respectively. Budgetary problems and shaky business confidence will constrain government plans to reduce unemployment.
Electricity--consumption
141.392 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity--exports
9.7 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity--imports
15.9 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity--production
135.192 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity--production by source
fossil fuel: 9.75% hydro: 37.52% nuclear: 52.62% other: 0.11% (1996)
Exchange rates
Swedish kronor (SKr) per US$1--7.8193 (January 1999), 7.9499 (1998), 7.6349 (1997), 6.7060 (1996), 7.1333 (1995), 7.7160 (1994)
Exports
$85.5 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports--commodities
machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals
Exports--partners
EU 55% (Germany 11%, UK 9%, Denmark 6%, Finland 5%), Norway 8%, US 8% (1994)
Fiscal year
calendar year
GDP
purchasing power parity--$175 billion (1998 est.)
GDP--composition by sector
agriculture: 2.2% industry: 30.5% services: 67.3% (1997)
GDP--per capita
purchasing power parity?$19,700 (1998 est.)
GDP--real growth rate
2.9% (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 20.1% (1992)
Imports
$66.6 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports--commodities
machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, foodstuffs, iron and steel, clothing
Imports--partners
EU 68% (Germany 19%, UK 10%, Denmark 8%, France 6%), Norway 8%, US 6% (1997)
Industrial production growth rate
4.4% (1998)
Industries
iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
2% (1998 est.)
Labor force
4.552 million (1992)
Labor force--by occupation
community, social and personal services 38.3%, mining and manufacturing 21.2%, commerce, hotels, and restaurants 14.1%, banking, insurance 9%, communications 7.2%, construction 7%, agriculture, fishing, and forestry 3.2% (1991)
Population below poverty line
NA%
Unemployment rate
6.3% plus about 5% in training programs (1998 est.)
Communications
Radio broadcast stations
AM 5, FM 360 (mostly repeaters), shortwave 0
Radios
7.272 million (1993 est.)
Telephone system
excellent domestic and international facilities; automatic system domestic: coaxial and multiconductor cable carry most voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay network carries some additional telephone channels international: 5 submarine coaxial cables; 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)
Telephones
13 million (1996 est.)
Television broadcast stations
163 (1997)
Televisions
3.5 million
Transportation
Airports
255 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 145 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 82 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 24 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 110 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 105 (1998 est.)
Heliports
1 (1998 est.)
Highways
total: 138,000 km paved: 105,018 km (including 1,330 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,982 km (1996 est.)
Merchant marine
total: 154 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,894,783 GRT/1,528,077 DWT ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 28, chemical tanker 28, combination ore/oil 4, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 24, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 39, short-sea passenger 5, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 13 (1998 est.)
Pipelines
natural gas 84 km Ports and harbors: Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Hudiksvall, Kalmar, Karlshamn, Malmo, Solvesborg, Stockholm, Sundsvall
Railways
total: 13,415 km (includes 3,594 km of privately-owned railways) standard gauge: 13,415 km 1.435-m gauge (7,917 km electrified and 1,152 km double track) (1996)
Waterways
2,052 km navigable for small steamers and barges
Military and Security
Military branches
Swedish Army, Royal Swedish Navy, Swedish Air Force
Military expenditures--dollar figure
$4.9 billion (FY97/98)
Military expenditures--percent of GDP
2.2% (FY97/98)
Military manpower--availability
males age 15-49: 2,076,903 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,817,554 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--military age
19 years of age
Military manpower--reaching military age annually
males: 52,486 (1999 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international
none
Illicit drugs
minor transshipment point for and consumer of narcotics shipped via the CIS and Baltic states; increasing consumer of European amphetamines