2005 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: 17.1% (male 791,215/female 747,621) 15-64 years: 65.5% (male 2,990,436/female 2,904,873) 65 years and over: 17.4% (male 677,161/female 890,468) (2005 est.)

Agriculture - products

barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk

Airports

254 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

154 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 82 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 35 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

100 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 90 (2004 est.)

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 and in 2000-02 by the global economic downturn, but fiscal discipline over the past several years has allowed the country to weather economic vagaries. 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

10.36 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$199.6 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)

revenues

$201.3 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 (code)

Swedish krona (SEK)

Currency code

SEK

Current account balance

$24.08 billion (2004 est.)

Death rate

10.36 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Debt - external

$66.5 billion (1994)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador M. Teel BIVINS

embassy

Dag Hammarskjolds VAG 31, SE-11589 Stockholm

FAX

[46] (08) 661 19 64

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

chancery

1501 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1702

chief of mission

Ambassador Jan ELIASSON

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles and New York

FAX

[1] (202) 467-2699

telephone

[1] (202) 467-2600

Disputes - international

none This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005 ======================================================================

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, declining revenue, and increased spending. The Swedish central bank (the Riksbank) focuses on price stability with its inflation target of 2%. Growth remained sluggish in 2003, but picked up in 2004. Presumably because of generous sicktime benefits, Swedish workers report in sick more often than other Europeans. On 14 September 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system, concerned about the impact on democracy and sovereignty.

Electricity - consumption

138.1 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports

14.8 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports

20.1 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production

142.8 billion kWh (2002)

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-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

Ethnic groups

foreign-born or first-generation immigrants

Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks

indigenous population

Swedes and Finnish and Sami minorities;

Exchange rates

Swedish kronor per US dollar - 7.3489 (2004), 8.0863 (2003), 9.7371 (2002), 10.3291 (2001), 9.1622 (2000)

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

$121.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 10.7%, Germany 10.2%, Norway 8.6%, UK 7.8%, Denmark 6.7%, Finland 5.7%, France 4.8%, Netherlands 4.8%, Belgium 4.5% (2004)

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 - composition by sector

agriculture

2%

industry

29%

services

69% (2001)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $28,400 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3.6% (2004 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$255.4 billion (2004 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 (2004 est.) Military Sweden

Highways

paved

167,604 km (including 1,542 km of expressways)

total

213,237 km

unpaved

45,633 km (2002)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

3,600 (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 20.1% (1992)

Imports

$97.97 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Germany 18.7%, Denmark 9.2%, Norway 7.6%, UK 7.5%, Netherlands 6.8%, Finland 6.4%, France 5.5%, Belgium 4% (2004)

Independence

6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)

Industrial production growth rate

5.5% (2004 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

2.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

male

2.93 deaths/1,000 live births

total

2.77 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.7% (2004 est.)

International organization participation

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, 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, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Internet country code

.se

Internet hosts

945,221 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

29 (2000)

Internet users

5.125 million (2002) Transportation Sweden

Investment (gross fixed)

15.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

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

4.46 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

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

Land boundaries

border countries

Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km

total

2,233 km

Land use

arable land

6.54%

other

93.45% (2001)

permanent crops

0.01%

Languages

Swedish, 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 September 2006)

Life expectancy at birth

female

82.74 years (2005 est.)

male

78.19 years

total population

80.4 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

Manpower available for military service

males age 19-49: 1,838,427 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 19-49: 1,493,668 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually

males

58,724 (2005 est.)

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

41.75 years (2005 est.)

male

39.49 years

total

40.6 years

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 6, cargo 33, chemical tanker 51, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 37, petroleum tanker 14, roll on/roll off 37, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 22

foreign-owned

42 (Belgium 2, Denmark 4, Finland 11, Germany 6, Italy 7, Japan 2, Netherlands 1, Norway 9)

registered in other countries

155 (2005)

total

205 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,702,763 GRT/1,884,570 DWT

Military branches

Army, Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN), Air Force (Flygvapnet)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$5.729 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.7% (2004) Transnational Issues Sweden

Military service age and obligation

19 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 7-17 months depending on conscript role; after completing initial service soldiers have a reserve commitment until the age of 47 (2004)

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

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

Net migration rate

1.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 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 (2004)

Political parties and leaders

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

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

9,001,774 (July 2005 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA

Population growth rate

0.17% (2005 est.)

Ports and harbors

Goteborg, Helsingborg, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Oxelosund, Stenungsund, Stockholm, Trelleborg

Public debt

51.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

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 (9,400 km electrified) (2004)

total

11,481 km

Religions

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$19.99 billion (2003)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

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

country code - 46; 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

6,579,200 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular

7.949 million (2002)

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

1.66 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

5.6% (2004 est.)