2010 Edition

Background

A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war for 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 and 2009 by the global economic downturns, 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

land

410,335 sq km

total

450,295 sq km

water

39,960 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

highest point

Kebnekaise 2,111 m

lowest point

reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.4 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)

per capita

296 cu m/yr (2002)

total

2.68 cu km/yr (37%/54%/9%)

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

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%

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

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: 15.7% (male 733,597/female 692,194) 15-64 years: 65.5% (male 3,003,358/female 2,927,038) 65 years and over: 18.8% (male 753,293/female 950,171) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

10.14 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

10.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

6.7% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

foreign-born or first-generation immigrants

Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks

indigenous population

Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities;

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

6,200 (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

2.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

2.9 deaths/1,000 live births

total

2.74 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Swedish (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Life expectancy at birth

female

83.4 years (2010 est.)

male

78.69 years

total population

80.97 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

99% (2003 est.)

male

99%

total population

99%

Median age

female

42.9 years (2010 est.)

male

40.6 years

total

41.7 years

Nationality

adjective

Swedish

noun

Swede(s)

Net migration rate

1.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Population

9,074,055 (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

0.16% (2010 est.)

Religions

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

16 years (2008)

male

15 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

at birth

1.061 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.67 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

85% of total population (2008)

Administrative divisions

21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarna, Gavleborg, Gotland, Halland, Jamtland, Jonkoping, Kalmar, Kronoberg, Norrbotten, Orebro, Ostergotland, Skane, Sodermanland, Stockholm, Uppsala, Varmland, Vasterbotten, Vasternorrland, Vastmanland, Vastra Gotaland

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)

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 Matthew W. BARZUN

embassy

Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31, SE-11589 Stockholm

FAX

[46] (08) 661 19 64

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

chancery

The House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador Jonas HAFSTROM

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 467-2699

telephone

[1] (202) 467-2600

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

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)

elections

the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes the prime minister

head of government

Prime Minister Fredrik REINFELDT (since 5 October 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Jan BJORKLUND (since 5 October 2010)

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); the colors reflect those of the Swedish coat of arms - three gold crowns on a blue field

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Independence

6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, 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, MONUSCO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, 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)

election results

percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 30.7%, Moderates 30.1%, Greens 7.3%, Liberal People's Party 7.1%, Center Party 6.6%, Sweden Democrats 5.7%, Christian Democrats 5.6%, Left Party 5.6%; seats by party - Social Democrats 112, Moderates 107, Greens 25, Liberal People's Party 24, Center Party 23, Sweden Democrats 20, Christian Democrats 19, Left Party 19

elections

last held on 19 September 2010 (next to be held in September 2014)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Richard DYBECK/traditional note: in use since 1844; the anthem, also known as "Sang till Norden" (Song of the North), is based on a Swedish folk tune; it has never been officially adopted by the government; "Kungssangen" (The King's Song) serves as the royal anthem and is played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies

name

"Du Gamla, Du Fria" (Thou Ancient, Thou Free)

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 [Fredrik REINFELDT]; Social Democratic Party [Mona SAHLIN]; Sweden Democrats [Jimmie AKESSON]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Children's Rights in Society; Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees 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

Central bank discount rate

2% (31 December 2008) 3.5% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

NA% (31 December 2009 est.) NA% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

$21.68 billion (2010 est.) $30.23 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$853.3 billion (30 June 2010) $617.3 billion (31 December 2008)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

23 (2005) 25 (1992)

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. In September 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system concerned about the impact on the economy and sovereignty. 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 little more than 1% of GDP and of employment. Until 2008, Sweden was in the midst of a sustained economic upswing, boosted by increased domestic demand and strong exports. This and robust finances 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. Despite strong finances and underlying fundamentals, the Swedish economy slid into recession in the third quarter of 2008 and growth continued downward in 2009 as deteriorating global conditions reduced export demand and consumption. Strong exports of commodities and a return to profitability by Sweden's banking sector drove the strong rebound in 2010.

Electricity - consumption

134.5 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

14.71 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

12.75 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

144 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

Swedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar - 7.5077 (2010), 7.6529 (2009), 6.4074 (2008), 6.7629 (2007), 7.3731 (2006)

Exports

$162.6 billion (2010 est.) $133.3 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Norway 10.61%, Germany 10.2%, UK 7.45%, Denmark 7.35%, Finland 6.44%, US 6.36%, France 5.05%, Netherlands 4.67% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

1.7%

industry

26.1%

services

72.2% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$39,000 (2010 est.) $37,500 (2009 est.) $39,600 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.1% (2010 est.) -5.1% (2009 est.) -0.6% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$444.6 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$354 billion (2010 est.) $340.1 billion (2009 est.) $358.4 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$158.6 billion (2010 est.) $120.5 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Germany 17.9%, Denmark 8.9%, Norway 8.7%, Netherlands 6.17%, UK 5.56%, Finland 5.14%, France 5.06%, China 4.79% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

8% (2010 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)

1.4% (2010 est.) -0.3% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

18.1% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

4.93 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

1.1%

industry

28.2%

services

70.7% (2008 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$432.3 billion (31 December 2009) $252.5 billion (31 December 2008) $612.5 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption

1.229 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1.229 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

328,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

248,500 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Oil - imports

589,900 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Oil - production

4,833 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

40.8% of GDP (2010 est.) 41.6% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$NA (31 December 2010 est.) $47.29 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$293.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $260.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$383.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $367.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$321.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $304.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$640.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $583.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$225 billion (31 December 2010 est) $205.2 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate

8.3% (2010 est.) 8.3% (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

publicly-owned television broadcaster operates 2 terrestrial networks plus regional stations; multiple privately-owned television broadcasters operating nationally, regionally, and locally; about 50 local TV stations; widespread access to pan-Nordic and international broadcasters through multi-channel cable and satellite TV systems; publicly-owned radio broadcaster operates 3 national stations and a network of 25 regional channels; nearly a hundred privately-owned local radio stations with some consolidating into near national networks; an estimated 900 community and neighborhood radio stations broadcast intermittently (2008)

Internet country code

.se

Internet hosts

4.396 million (2010)

Internet users

8.398 million (2009)

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

highly developed telecommunications infrastructure; ranked among leading countries for fixed-line, mobile-cellular, Internet and broadband penetration

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

5.146 million (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

11.426 million (2009)

Airports

249 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

total

152 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 76 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 36 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

97 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 92 (2010)

Heliports

2 (2010)

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 4, cargo 20, carrier 1, chemical tanker 31, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 37, petroleum tanker 12, roll on/roll off 32, vehicle carrier 21

foreign-owned

46 (Denmark 15, Estonia 3, Finland 16, Germany 3, Ireland 1, Italy 5, Norway 3)

registered in other countries

194 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Bahamas 6, Barbados 6, Bermuda 17, Cook Islands 3, Cyprus 5, Denmark 16, Faroe Islands 5, France 6, Germany 1, Gibraltar 12, Isle of Man 1, Italy 1, Liberia 10, Malta 3, Netherlands 18, former Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 33, Panama 1, Portugal 6, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Singapore 9, UK 25, US 5, unknown 1) (2010)

total

163

Pipelines

gas 786 km (2009)

Ports and terminals

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

Railways

narrow gauge

65 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2008)

standard gauge

11,568 km 1.435-m gauge (7,531 km electrified)

total

11,633 km

Roadways

total

572,900 km (includes 1,855 km of expressways) note: (includes 98,400 km of state roads, 433,500 km of private roads, and 41,000 km of muncipal roads; 215,700 km of these are open to public traffic) (2009)

Waterways

2,052 km (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,065,782 females age 16-49: 1,995,451 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,709,592 females age 16-49: 1,649,875 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

56,225 (2010 est.)

male

58,937

Military branches

Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten)

Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2010)

Military expenditures

1.5% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18-47 years of age for male and female voluntary military service;

service obligation

7.5 months (Army), 7-15 months (Navy), 8-12 months (Air Force); the Swedish Parliament has abolished compulsory military service, with exclusively voluntary recruitment as of July 2010; conscription remains an option in emergencies; after completing initial service, soldiers have a reserve commitment until age 47 (2010)

Disputes - international

none page last updated on January 20, 2011 ======================================================================