2003 Edition

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 17.7% (male 804,296; female 763,213) 15-64 years: 65% (male 2,933,183; female 2,835,835) 65 years and over: 17.3% (male 654,575; female 886,983) (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products

barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk

Airports

245 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 24

total

145

under 914 m

25 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 82

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

100 914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m

90 (2002)

Area

land

410,934 sq km

total

449,964 sq km

water

39,030 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than California

Background

A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war in 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, rising maintenance costs, and a declining position in world markets. Indecision over the country's role in the political and economic integration of Europe delayed Sweden's entry into the EU until 1995, and waived the introduction of the euro in 1999. Geography Sweden

Birth rate

9.71 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$110 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)

revenues

$119 billion

Capital

Stockholm

Climate

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

Coastline

3,218 km

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

Currency

Swedish krona (SEK)

Currency code

SEK

Death rate

10.58 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Debt - external

$66.5 billion (1994)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Charles A. HEIMBOLD, Jr.

embassy

Dag Hammarskjolds VAG 31, SE-11589 Stockholm

mailing address

American Embassy Stockholm, Department of State, 5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC 20521-5750 (pouch)

telephone

[46] (08) 783 53 00

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Jan ELIASSON

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles and New York

Disputes - international

none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Distribution of family income - Gini index

25 (1992)

Economic aid - donor

ODA, $1.7 billion (1997)

Economy - overview

Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole 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. 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. The government's commitment to fiscal discipline resulted in a substantial budgetary surplus in 2001, which was cut by more than half in 2002, due to the global economic slowdown, revenue declines, and spending increases. The Swedish central bank (the Riksbank) is focusing on price stability with its inflation target of 2%. Growth remained sluggish in 2003. On September 14, 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system, concerned about the impact on democracy and sovereignty.

Electricity - consumption

134.9 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

18.45 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

11.14 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

152.9 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

4%

hydro

50.8%

nuclear

43%

other

2.3% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Kebnekaise 2,111 m

lowest point

reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.41 m

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-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, 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

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Ethnic groups

indigenous population

Swedes and Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks

Exchange rates

Swedish kronor per US dollar - 9.74 (2002), 10.33 (2001), 9.16 (2000), 8.26 (1999), 7.95 (1998)

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the prime minister

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)

election results

Goran PERSSON reelected prime minister with 131 out of 349 votes

elections

the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the prime minister is elected by the Parliament; election last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006)

head of government

Prime Minister Goran PERSSON (since 21 March 1996)

Exports

$80.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 11.6%, Germany 10.1%, Norway 9%, UK 8.2%, Denmark 5.9%, Finland 5.6%, Netherlands 5.3%, France 5.1%, Belgium 4.7% (2002)

FAX

[1] (202) 467-2699

[46] (08) 661 19 64

chancery

1501 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1702

telephone

[1] (202) 467-2600

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Sweden

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) Economy Sweden

GDP

purchasing power parity - $230.7 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

2%

industry

29%

services

69% (2001)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $26,000 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1.9% (2002 est.)

Geographic coordinates

62 00 N, 15 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas People Sweden

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Heliports

2 (2002) Military Sweden

Highways

paved

166,523 km (including 1,499 km of expressways)

total

212,402 km

unpaved

45,879 km (2000)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

3,300 (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

20.1% (1992)

lowest 10%

3.7%

Imports

$68.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing

Imports - partners

Germany 18.5%, Denmark 8.8%, UK 8.6%, Norway 8.2%, Netherlands 6.7%, France 5.4%, Finland 5.2%, US 5% (2002)

Independence

6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)

Industrial production growth rate

0.9% (2002 est.)

Industries

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

Infant mortality rate

female

2.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)

male

3.86 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3.42 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.2% (2002 est.)

International organization participation

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 6, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC

Internet country code

.se

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

29 (2000)

Internet users

6.02 million (2002) Transportation Sweden

Irrigated land

1,150 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

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

Labor force

4.4 million (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 2%, industry 24%, services 74% (2000 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 km

total

2,205 km

Land use

arable land

6.8%

other

93.2% (1998 est.)

permanent crops

0%

Languages

Swedish

note

small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities

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)

election results

percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 39.8%, Moderates 15.2%, Liberal Party 13.3%, Christian Democrats 9.1%, Left Party 8.3%, Center Party 6.1%, Greens 4.6%; seats by party - Social Democrats 144, Moderates 55, Liberal Party 48, Christian Democrats 33, Left Party 30, Center Party 22, Greens 17

elections

last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006)

Life expectancy at birth

female

82.78 years (2003 est.)

male

77.31 years

total population

79.97 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

NA% Government Sweden

male

NA%

total population

99% (1979 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)

Median age

female

41.4 years (2002)

male

39 years

total

40.1 years

Merchant marine

convenience

Denmark 8, Finland 8, Germany 3, Italy 3, Japan 2, Norway 7 (2002 est.)

note

includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of

ships by type

bulk 5, cargo 35, chemical tanker 31, combination ore/oil 1, petroleum tanker 25, roll on/roll off 35, short-sea passenger 8, specialized tanker 5, vehicle carrier 21

total

166 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,329,925 GRT/1,609,986 DWT

Military branches

Army, Royal Navy (including Coast Artillery and Naval Helicopter Service), Air Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$4.395 billion (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

2.1% (FY01) Transnational Issues Sweden

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49

2,060,044 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49

1,800,376 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age

19 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

52,692 (2003 est.)

National holiday

Flag Day, 6 June

Nationality

adjective

Swedish

noun

Swede(s)

Natural gas - consumption

949 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

968 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2001 est.)

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

Net migration rate

1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption

328,600 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

203,700 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

553,100 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Pipelines

gas 798 km (2003)

Political parties and leaders

Center Party [Maud OLOFSSON]; Christian Democratic Party [Alf SVENSSON]; Green Party [no formal leader but party spokespersons are Maria WETTERSTRAND and Peter ERIKSSON]; Left Party or VP (formerly Communist) [Ulla HOFFMAN (acting)]; Liberal People's Party [Lars LEIJONBORG]; Moderate Party (conservative) [Fredrik REINFELDT]; Social Democratic Party [Goran PERSSON]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

8,878,085 (July 2003 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

0.01% (2003 est.)

Ports and harbors

Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Hudiksvall, Kalmar, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Solvesborg, Stockholm, Sundsvall

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 265, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

8.25 million (1997)

Railways

standard gauge

11,481 km 1.435-m gauge (7,527 km electrified) (2002)

total

11,481 km

Religions

Lutheran 87%, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist

Sex ratio

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry some additional telephone channels

general assessment

excellent domestic and international facilities; automatic system

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 - main lines in use

6.017 million (December 1998)

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.835 million (October 1998)

Television broadcast stations

169 (plus 1,299 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions

4.6 million (1997)

Terrain

mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west

Total fertility rate

1.54 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

4% (2002 est.)

Waterways

2,052 km

note

navigable to small steamers and barges