2008 Edition

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.

Area

total: 449,964 sq km land: 410,934 sq km water: 39,030 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: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.41 m highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 2.68 cu km/yr (37%/54%/9%) per capita: 296 cu m/yr (2002)

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 (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 2,233 km border countries: Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km

Land use

arable land: 5.93% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 94.06% (2005)

Location

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

Map references

Europe

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

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

Terrain

mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west

Total renewable water resources

179 cu km (2005)

Age structure

0-14 years: 16% (male 745,110/female 703,857) 15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,008,148/female 2,928,930) 65 years and over: 18.3% (male 729,500/female 929,844) (2008 est.)

Birth rate

10.15 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate

10.24 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Education expenditures

7.1% of GDP (2005)

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

3,600 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 2.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Languages

Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 80.74 years male: 78.49 years female: 83.13 years (2008 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)

Median age

total: 41.3 years male: 40.2 years female: 42.4 years (2008 est.)

Nationality

noun: Swede(s) adjective: Swedish

Net migration rate

1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Population

9,045,389 (July 2008 est.)

Population growth rate

0.157% (2008 est.)

Religions

Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years (2006)

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: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.67 children born/woman (2008 est.)

Administrative divisions

21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarnas, Gavleborgs, Gotlands, Hallands, Jamtlands, Jonkopings, Kalmar, Kronobergs, Norrbottens, Orebro, Ostergotlands, Skane, Sodermanlands, Stockholm, Uppsala, Varmlands, Vasterbottens, Vasternorrlands, Vastmanlands, Vastra Gotalands

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

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

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 telephone: [46] (08) 783 53 00

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Jonas HAFSTROM chancery: 2900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600

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) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the prime minister is elected by the parliament; election last held on 17 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2010) election results: Fredrik REINFELDT elected prime minister with 175 out of 349 votes

FAX

[1] (202) 467-2699 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

[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)

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Independence

6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MONUC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

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

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 on 17 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 37.2%, Moderates 27.8%, Center Party 8.3%, Liberal 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, Liberal People's Party 28, Christian Democrats 24, Left Party 22, Greens 19

National holiday

Swedish Flag Day, 6 June (1916); National Day, 6 June (1983)

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]; Liberal People's Party [Jan BJORKLUND]; Moderate Party (conservative) [Fredrik REINFELDT]; Social Democratic Party [Mona SAHLIN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Children's Rights in Society; Central Association of Salarited Emplyees or TCO; Swedish Federation of Trade Unions or LO other: media

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk

Budget

revenues: $249.1 billion expenditures: $233.5 billion (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate

3.5% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

4% (31 December 2004)

Currency (code)

Swedish krona (SEK)

Currency code

SEK

Current account balance

$37.97 billion (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$598.2 billion (30 June 2006)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

23 (2005)

Economic aid - donor

ODA, $3.955 billion (2006)

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. Sweden is in the midst of a sustained economic upswing, boosted by increased domestic demand and strong exports. This and robust finances have 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. The government plans to sell $31 billion in state assets during the next three years to further stimulate growth and raise revenue to pay down the federal debt. In September 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system concerned about the impact on the economy and sovereignty.

Electricity - consumption

133.6 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - exports

14.74 billion kWh (2007)

Electricity - imports

16.61 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production

143.8 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 4% hydro: 50.8% nuclear: 43% other: 2.3% (2001)

Exchange rates

Swedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar - 6.7629 (2007), 7.3731 (2006), 7.4731 (2005), 7.3489 (2004), 8.0863 (2003)

Exports

$170.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Germany 10.4%, Norway 9.4%, US 7.6%, Denmark 7.4%, UK 7.1%, Finland 6.4%, Netherlands 5.1%, France 5%, Belgium 4.6% (2007)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 1.5% industry: 28.8% services: 69.7% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$37,500 (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2.7% (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$455.3 billion (2007 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$338.5 billion (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 22.2% (2000)

Imports

$151.4 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Germany 18.4%, Denmark 9.2%, Norway 8.3%, UK 6.8%, Finland 6.1%, Netherlands 5.8%, France 5%, China 4.3%, Belgium 4.1% (2007)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2007 est.)

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)

2.2% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

19% of GDP (2007 est.)

Labor force

4.839 million (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

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

Market value of publicly traded shares

$403.9 billion (2005)

Natural gas - consumption

1.006 billion cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1.006 billion cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

353,700 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - exports

219,200 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports

581,000 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - production

2,350 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

41.7% of GDP (2007 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$31.04 billion (2006 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$261.5 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$216.6 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$630.8 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$217.1 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$48.49 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

6.1% (2007 est.)

Internet country code

.se

Internet hosts

3.579 million (2008)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

29 (2000)

Internet users

7 million (2007)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 265, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

8.25 million (1997)

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)

Telephones - main lines in use

5.506 million (2007)

Telephones - mobile cellular

10.371 million (2007)

Television broadcast stations

169 (plus 1,299 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions

4.6 million (1997)

Airports

250 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 152 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 75 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 38 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 98 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 92 (2007)

Heliports

2 (2007)

Merchant marine

total: 195 by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 23, carrier 1, chemical tanker 45, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 36, petroleum tanker 15, roll on/roll off 37, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 25 foreign-owned: 41 (Denmark 4, Estonia 2, Finland 12, Germany 5, Italy 9, Norway 7, UK 2) registered in other countries: 207 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Bahamas 4, Barbados 7, Bermuda 20, Cook Islands 8, Cyprus 2, Denmark 6, Finland 2, France 9, Germany 1, Gibraltar 13, Isle of Man 1, Italy 1, Liberia 10, Malaysia 3, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Netherlands 28, Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 31, Norway 3, Panama 6, Portugal 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Singapore 20, UK 17, US 5) (2008)

Pipelines

gas 798 km (2007)

Ports and terminals

Brofjorden, Goteborg, Helsingborg, Lulea, Malmo, Stenungsund, Stockholm, Trelleborg, Visby

Railways

total: 11,528 km standard gauge: 11,528 km 1.435-m gauge (7,527 km electrified) (2006)

Roadways

total: 425,300 km paved: 139,300 km (includes 1,740 km of expressways) unpaved: 286,000 km (2008)

Waterways

2,052 km (2005)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,052,890 females age 16-49: 1,980,550 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,699,115 females age 16-49: 1,637,868 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 64,605 female: 61,110 (2008 est.)

Military expenditures

1.5% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

19 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation: 7-15 months (Navy), 8-12 months (Air Force); after completing initial service, soldiers have a reserve commitment until age 47 (2006)

Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten)

Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2008)

Disputes - international

none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008