2007 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: 16.7% (male 775,433/female 732,773) 15-64 years: 65.7% (male 3,001,928/female 2,918,242) 65 years and over: 17.6% (male 689,756/female 898,464) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk

Airports

255 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 80 914 to 1,523 m: 23

total

155

under 914 m

36 (2006)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

100 914 to 1,523 m: 9

under 914 m

91 (2006)

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. Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public rejected the introduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum. Geography Sweden

Birth rate

10.27 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$210.5 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2006 est.)

revenues

$222 billion

Capital

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

59 20 N, 18 03 E

name

Stockholm

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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

$28.61 billion (2006 est.)

Death rate

10.31 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$598.2 billion (30 June 2006)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Michael M. WOOD

embassy

Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31, SE-11589 Stockholm

mailing address

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

telephone

[46] (08) 783 53 00

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

902 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador Gunnar LUND

telephone

[1] (202) 467-2600

Disputes - international

none This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Distribution of family income - Gini index

25 (2000)

Economic aid - donor

ODA, $1.7 billion (1997)

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. 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 1% of GDP and 2% of employment. 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 during 2004-06. Presumably because of generous sick-leave benefits, Swedish workers report in sick more often than other Europeans. In September 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system, concerned about the impact on the economy and sovereignty.

Electricity - consumption

137.8 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

17.8 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

15.6 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production

150.5 billion kWh (2004)

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

indigenous population

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

Exchange rates

Swedish kronor per US dollar - 7.43321 (2006), 7.4731 (2005), 7.3489 (2004), 8.0863 (2003), 9.7371 (2002)

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

Fredrik REINFELDT elected prime minister with 175 out of 349 votes

elections

the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the prime minister is elected by the parliament; election last held 17 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2010)

head of government

Prime Minister Fredrik REINFELDT (since 5 October 2006)

Exports

$173.9 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 10.6%, Germany 10.2%, Norway 8.7%, UK 7.3%, Denmark 6.5%, Finland 5.7%, France 4.9%, Netherlands 4.5%, Belgium 4.3% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 467-2699

[46] (08) 661 19 64

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles, New York

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

1.1%

industry

28.1%

services

70.9% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$31,600 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

4.2% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$371.5 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$285.1 billion (2006 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 (2006)

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

highest 10%

20.1% (1992)

lowest 10%

3.7%

Imports

$151.8 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Germany 17.6%, Denmark 8.9%, Norway 7.8%, UK 6.6%, Netherlands 6.2%, Finland 5.8%, France 5% (2005)

Independence

6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)

Industrial production growth rate

4.3% (2006 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 (2006 est.)

male

2.92 deaths/1,000 live births

total

2.76 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.4% (2006 est.)

International organization participation

AfDB, Arctic Council, 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, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Internet country code

.se

Internet hosts

2,958,435 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

29 (2000)

Internet users

6.8 million (2005) Transportation Sweden

Investment (gross fixed)

17.6% of GDP (2006 est.)

Irrigated land

1,150 sq km (2003)

Judicial branch

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

Labor force

4.59 million (2006 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

5.93%

other

94.06% (2005)

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 37.2%, Moderates 27.8%, Center Party 8.3%, People's Party 8.0%, Christian Democrats 6.9%, Left Party 6.3%, Greens 5.4%; seats by party - Social Democrats 130, Moderates 97, Center Party 29, People's Party 28, Christian Democrats 24, Left Party 22, Greens 19

elections

last held 17 September 2006 (next to be held September 2010)

Life expectancy at birth

female

82.87 years (2006 est.)

male

78.29 years

total population

80.51 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99% (2003 est.) Government Sweden

male

99%

total population

99%

Location

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

Manpower available for military service

females age 19-49

1,774,659 (2005 est.)

males age 19-49

1,838,427

Manpower fit for military service

females age 19-49

1,441,257 (2005 est.)

males age 19-49

1,493,668

Manpower reaching military service age annually

females age 19-49

55,954 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

58,724

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

42 years (2006 est.)

male

39.8 years

total

40.9 years

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 8, cargo 28, chemical tanker 47, container 5, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 36, petroleum tanker 15, roll on/roll off 31, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 21

foreign-owned

37 (Belgium 2, Denmark 4, Finland 11, Germany 3, Italy 7, Japan 2, Norway 7, US 1)

registered in other countries

161 (Bahamas 6, Bermuda 14, Cayman Islands 9, Cook Islands 3, Cyprus 3, Denmark 1, France 2, French Southern and Antarctic Lands 9, Gibraltar 5, Isle of Man 1, Liberia 8, Malta 3, Netherlands 26, Netherlands Antilles 5, Norway 28, Panama 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Singapore 12, UK 15, US 5) (2006)

total

198 ships (1000 GRT or over) 3,703,834 GRT/2,382,754 DWT

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$5.51 billion (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.5% (2005 est.) 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 age of 47 (2004)

National holiday

National Day, 6 June

Nationality

adjective

Swedish

noun

Swede(s)

Natural gas - consumption

979 million cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports

979 million cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2004 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

1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

362,400 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

203,700 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

553,100 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production

3,208 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Pipelines

gas 798 km (2006)

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]; Moderate Party (conservative) [Fredrik REINFELDT]; People's Party [Lars LEIJONBORG]; Social Democratic Party [Goran PERSSON]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

9,016,596 (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

0.16% (2006 est.)

Ports and terminals

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

Public debt

46.4% of GDP (2006 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) (2005)

total

11,481 km

Religions

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$22.26 billion (August 2006 est.)

Roadways

paved

129,651 km (including 1,591 km of expressways)

total

424,947 km

unpaved

295,296 km (2004)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten)

Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2006)

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

6.447 million (2004)

Telephones - mobile cellular

8.436 million (2005)

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 (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate

5.6% (2006 est.)

Waterways

2,052 km (2005)