2017 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2017 Archive (HTML)
Introduction
Background
A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war for two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both world wars. Sweden's long-successful economic formula of a capitalist system intermixed 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.
Geography
Area
- 450,295 sq km 410,335 sq km 39,960 sq km
- land
- 410,335 sq km
- total
- 450,295 sq km
- water
- 39,960 sq km
Area - comparative
almost three times the size of Georgia; 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
- 320 m lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.4 m highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m
- elevation extremes
- lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.4 m
- highest point
- Kebnekaise 2,111 m
- mean elevation
- 320 m
Environment - current issues
acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea
Environment - international agreements
- 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 none of the selected 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
Geographic coordinates
62 00 N, 15 00 E
Geography - note
strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas; Sweden has almost 100,000 lakes, the largest of which, Vanern, is the third largest in Europe
Irrigated land
1,640 sq km (2012)
Land boundaries
- 2,211 km Finland 545 km, Norway 1,666 km
- border countries (2)
- Finland 545 km, Norway 1,666 km
- total
- 2,211 km
Land use
- 7.5% arable land 6.4%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 1.1% 68.7% 23.8% (2011 est.)
- agricultural land
- 7.5%
- forest
- 68.7%
- other
- 23.8% (2011 est.)
Location
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway
Map references
Europe
Maritime claims
- 12 nm (adjustments made to return a portion of straits to high seas) agreed boundaries or midlines 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
- 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
Population - distribution
most Swedes live in the south where the climate is milder and there is better connectivity to mainland Europe; population clusters are found all along the Baltic coast in the east; the interior areas of the north remain sparsely populated
Terrain
mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west
People and Society
Age structure
- 17.43% (male 892,462/female 843,375) 11.31% (male 581,025/female 545,971) 39.42% (male 1,993,590/female 1,933,080) 11.58% (male 578,942/female 574,479) 20.26% (male 931,593/female 1,085,970) (2017 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 17.43% (male 892,462/female 843,375)
- 15-24 years
- 11.31% (male 581,025/female 545,971)
- 25-54 years
- 39.42% (male 1,993,590/female 1,933,080)
- 55-64 years
- 11.58% (male 578,942/female 574,479)
- 65 years and over
- 20.26% (male 931,593/female 1,085,970) (2017 est.)
Birth rate
12.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)
Death rate
9.4 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)
Dependency ratios
- 58.5 27.4 31.1 3.2 (2015 est.)
- elderly dependency ratio
- 31.1
- potential support ratio
- 3.2 (2015 est.)
- total dependency ratio
- 58.5
- youth dependency ratio
- 27.4
Drinking water source
- urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
- rural
- 0% of population
- total
- 0% of population (2015 est.)
- urban
- 0% of population
Education expenditures
7.7% of GDP (2013)
Ethnic groups
- indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; most common countries of origin among immigrants: Finland, Syria, Iraq, Poland, Iran
- indigenous population
- Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; most common countries of origin among immigrants: Finland, Syria, Iraq, Poland, Iran
Health expenditures
11.9% of GDP (2014)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
0.2% (2016 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
11,000 (2016 est.)
Hospital bed density
2.54 beds/1,000 population (2014)
Infant mortality rate
- 2.6 deaths/1,000 live births 2.9 deaths/1,000 live births 2.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
- female
- 2.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
- male
- 2.9 deaths/1,000 live births
- total
- 2.6 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages
- Swedish (official) Finnish, Sami, Romani, Yiddish, and Meankieli are official minority languages
- note
- Finnish, Sami, Romani, Yiddish, and Meankieli are official minority languages
Life expectancy at birth
- 82.1 years 80.2 years 84.2 years (2017 est.)
- female
- 84.2 years (2017 est.)
- male
- 80.2 years
- total population
- 82.1 years
Major urban areas - population
STOCKHOLM (capital) 1.486 million (2015)
Maternal mortality rate
4 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
Median age
- 41.2 years 40.2 years 42.2 years (2017 est.)
- female
- 42.2 years (2017 est.)
- male
- 40.2 years
- total
- 41.2 years
Mother's mean age at first birth
29.1 years (2015 est.)
Nationality
- Swede(s) Swedish
- adjective
- Swedish
- noun
- Swede(s)
Net migration rate
5.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
20.6% (2016)
Physicians density
4.11 physicians/1,000 population (2013)
Population
9,960,487 (July 2017 est.)
Population distribution
most Swedes live in the south where the climate is milder and there is better connectivity to mainland Europe; population clusters are found all along the Baltic coast in the east; the interior areas of the north remain sparsely populated
Population growth rate
0.81% (2017 est.)
Religions
Church of Sweden (Lutheran) 63%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 17% (2016 est.)
Sanitation facility access
- urban: 99.3% of population rural: 99.6% of population total: 99.3% of population urban: 0.7% of population rural: 0.4% of population total: 0.7% of population (2015 est.)
- rural
- 0.4% of population
- total
- 0.7% of population (2015 est.)
- urban
- 0.7% of population
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- 18 years 17 years 20 years (2014)
- female
- 20 years (2014)
- male
- 17 years
- total
- 18 years
Sex ratio
- 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 1.06 male(s)/female
- 15-24 years
- 1.06 male(s)/female
- 25-54 years
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- 55-64 years
- 1.01 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over
- 0.85 male(s)/female
- at birth
- 1.06 male(s)/female
- total population
- 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.88 children born/woman (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
- 20.4% 21.2% 19.6% (2015 est.)
- female
- 19.6% (2015 est.)
- male
- 21.2%
- total
- 20.4%
Urbanization
- 86.1% of total population (2017) 0.86% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
- rate of urbanization
- 0.86% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
- urban population
- 86.1% of total population (2017)
Government
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
- Stockholm 59 20 N, 18 03 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
- 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)
Citizenship
- no the father must be a citizen of Sweden; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen of Sweden and the father unknown no, unless the other citizenship was acquired involuntarily 5 years
- citizenship by birth
- no
- citizenship by descent only
- the father must be a citizen of Sweden; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen of Sweden and the father unknown
- dual citizenship recognized
- no, unless the other citizenship was acquired involuntarily
- residency requirement for naturalization
- 5 years
Constitution
- several previous; latest adopted 1 January 1975 proposed by Parliament; passage requires simple majority vote in two consecutive parliamentary terms with an intervening general election; passage also requires approval by simple majority vote in a referendum if Parliament approves a motion for a referendum by one-third of its members; amended several times, last in 2014 (changes to the "Instrument of Government") (2016)
- amendments
- proposed by Parliament; passage requires simple majority vote in two consecutive parliamentary terms with an intervening general election; passage also requires approval by simple majority vote in a referendum if Parliament approves a motion for a referendum by one-third of its members; amended several times, last in 2014 (changes to the "Instrument of Government") (2016)
- history
- several previous; latest adopted 1 January 1975
Country name
- Kingdom of Sweden Sweden Konungariket Sverige Sverige name ultimately derives from the North Germanic Svear tribe, which inhabited central Sweden and is first mentioned in the first centuries A.D.
- conventional long form
- Kingdom of Sweden
- conventional short form
- Sweden
- etymology
- name ultimately derives from the North Germanic Svear tribe, which inhabited central Sweden and is first mentioned in the first centuries A.D.
- local long form
- Konungariket Sverige
- local short form
- Sverige
Diplomatic representation from the US
- Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires David E. LINDWALL (since 20 January 2017) Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31, SE-11589 Stockholm American Embassy Stockholm, US Department of State, 5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC 20521-5750 [46] (08) 783 53 00 [46] (08) 661 19 64
- chief of mission
- Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires David E. LINDWALL (since 20 January 2017)
- 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
- Ambassador Karin Ulrika OLOFSDOTTER (since 17 September 2017) The House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 467-2600 [1] (202) 467-2699 New York
- chancery
- The House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
- chief of mission
- Ambassador Karin Ulrika OLOFSDOTTER (since 17 September 2017)
- consulate(s) general
- New York
- FAX
- [1] (202) 467-2699
- telephone
- [1] (202) 467-2600
Executive branch
- King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977) Prime Minister Stefan LOFVEN (since 3 October 2014); Deputy Prime Minister Isabella LOVIN (since 25 May 2016) Cabinet appointed by the prime minister the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually becomes the prime minister
- 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)
- elections/appointments
- the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually becomes the prime minister
- head of government
- Prime Minister Stefan LOFVEN (since 3 October 2014); Deputy Prime Minister Isabella LOVIN (since 25 May 2016)
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
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Independence
6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king of Sweden, marking the abolishment of the Kalmar Union between Denmark, Norway, and Sweden)
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Judicial branch
- Supreme Court of Sweden (consists of 16 justices including the court chairman); Supreme Administrative Court (consists of 18 justices including the court president) Supreme Court and Supreme Administrative Court justices nominated by the Board of Judges, a 9-member nominating body consisting of high-level judges, prosecutors, and members of Parliament; justices appointed by the Government; following a probationary period, justices' appointments are permanent first instance, appellate, general, and administrative courts; specialized courts that handle cases such as land and environment, immigration, labor, markets, and patents
- highest court(s)
- Supreme Court of Sweden (consists of 16 justices including the court chairman); Supreme Administrative Court (consists of 18 justices including the court president)
- judge selection and term of office
- Supreme Court and Supreme Administrative Court justices nominated by the Board of Judges, a 9-member nominating body consisting of high-level judges, prosecutors, and members of Parliament; justices appointed by the Government; following a probationary period, justices' appointments are permanent
- subordinate courts
- first instance, appellate, general, and administrative courts; specialized courts that handle cases such as land and environment, immigration, labor, markets, and patents
Legal system
civil law system influenced by Roman-Germanic law and customary law
Legislative branch
- unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; 310 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 39 members in "at-large" seats directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) last held on 14 September 2014 (next to be held on or before 9 September 2018) percent of vote by party - SAP 31.0%, M 23.3%, SD 12.9%, MP 6.9%, C 6.1%, V 5.7%, L 5.4%, KD 4.6%, other 4.1%; seats by party - SAP 113, M 84, SD 49, MP 25, C 22, V 21, L 19, KD 16
- description
- unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; 310 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 39 members in "at-large" seats directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
- election results
- percent of vote by party - SAP 31.0%, M 23.3%, SD 12.9%, MP 6.9%, C 6.1%, V 5.7%, L 5.4%, KD 4.6%, other 4.1%; seats by party - SAP 113, M 84, SD 49, MP 25, C 22, V 21, L 19, KD 16
- elections
- last held on 14 September 2014 (next to be held on or before 9 September 2018)
National anthem
- "Du Gamla, Du Fria" (Thou Ancient, Thou Free) Richard DYBECK/traditional in use since 1844; 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
- lyrics/music
- Richard DYBECK/traditional
- name
- "Du Gamla, Du Fria" (Thou Ancient, Thou Free)
- note
- in use since 1844; 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
National holiday
National Day, 6 June (1983); note - from 1916 to 1982 this date was celebrated as Swedish Flag Day
National symbol(s)
- three crowns, lion; national colors: blue, yellow
- three crowns, lion; national colors
- blue, yellow
Political parties and leaders
Center Party (Centerpartiet) or C [Annie LOOF] Christian Democrats (Kristdemokraterna) or KD [Ebba Busch THOR] Green Party (Miljopartiet de Grona) or MP [Isabella LOVIN and Gustav FRIDOLIN] Left Party (Vansterpartiet) or V [Jonas SJOSTEDT] Liberal Party (Liberalerna) or L [Jan BJORKLUND] Moderate Party (Moderaterna) or M [Ulf KRISTERSSON] Swedish Social Democratic Party (Socialdemokraterna) or SAP [Stefan LOFVEN] Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna) or SD [Jimmie AKESSON]
Political pressure groups and leaders
- Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (Svenskt Naringsliv) [Carola LEMNE] Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations or SACO [Goran ARRIUS] Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees or TCO [Eva NORDMARK] Swedish Trade Union Confederation (Landsorganisationen) or LO [Karl-Petter THORWALDSSON] environmental groups; media
- other
- environmental groups; media
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture - products
barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk
Budget
- $261 billion $256.2 billion (2016 est.)
- expenditures
- $256.2 billion (2016 est.)
- revenues
- $261 billion
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
0.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
Central bank discount rate
- -0.5% (31 December 2016) -0.35% (31 December 2015) the Discount rate was abolished in 2002, and replaced by a "Reference rate" with no bearing on monetary policy; the rate quoted here is the Reference rate
- note
- : the Discount rate was abolished in 2002, and replaced by a "Reference rate" with no bearing on monetary policy; the rate quoted here is the Reference rate
Commercial bank prime lending rate
1.85% (31 December 2016 est.) 1.97% (31 December 2015 est.)
Current account balance
$23.07 billion (2016 est.) $23.28 billion (2015 est.)
Debt - external
$939.9 billion (31 March 2016 est.) $929.4 billion (31 March 2015 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
24.9 (2013) 25 (1992)
Economy - overview
Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living with its combination of free-market capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. Sweden remains outside the euro zone largely out of concern that joining the European Economic and Monetary Union would diminish the country’s sovereignty over its welfare system. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Sweden’s economy experienced modest growth in 2014-16, with real GDP growth above 2%, but continues to struggle with deflationary pressure.
Exchange rates
Swedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar - 8.5605 (2016 est.) 8.5605 (2015 est.) 8.4335 (2014 est.) 6.8612 (2013 est.) 6.77 (2012 est.)
Exports
$151.4 billion (2016 est.) $152.1 billion (2015 est.)
Exports - commodities
machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals (2012 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 10.6%, Norway 10.4%, US 7.3%, Denmark 7%, Finland 6.8%, UK 6%, Netherlands 5.4%, Belgium 4.7%, France 4.4% (2016)
Fiscal year
calendar year
GDP - composition, by end use
- 44.6% 26.2% 24% 0.6% 44.3% -39.7% (2016 est.)
- exports of goods and services
- 44.3%
- government consumption
- 26.2%
- household consumption
- 44.6%
- imports of goods and services
- -39.7% (2016 est.)
- investment in fixed capital
- 24%
- investment in inventories
- 0.6%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- 1.6% 33.2% 65.2% (2016 est.)
- agriculture
- 1.6%
- industry
- 33.2%
- services
- 65.2% (2016 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
- $49,800 (2016 est.) $48,900 (2015 est.) $47,500 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars
- note
- data are in 2016 dollars
GDP - real growth rate
3.2% (2016 est.) 4.1% (2015 est.) 2.6% (2014 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$511 billion (2016 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $497.4 billion (2016 est.) $476 billion (2015 est.) $452.4 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars
- note
- data are in 2016 dollars
Gross national saving
29.2% of GDP (2016 est.) 28.9% of GDP (2015 est.) 28% of GDP (2014 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
- 3.4% 24% (2012)
- highest 10%
- 24% (2012)
- lowest 10%
- 3.4%
Imports
$139.9 billion (2016 est.) $138.5 billion (2015 est.)
Imports - commodities
machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing
Imports - partners
Germany 18.8%, Netherlands 8.2%, Norway 7.8%, Denmark 7.6%, China 5.6%, UK 5.2%, Belgium 4.6%, Finland 4.5%, France 4.1% (2016)
Industrial production growth rate
1.4% (2016 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)
1.1% (2016 est.) 0% (2015 est.)
Labor force
5.276 million (2016 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
- 2% 12% 86% (2014 est.)
- agriculture
- 2%
- industry
- 12%
- services
- 86% (2014 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares
$560.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $470.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $581.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Population below poverty line
15% (2014 est.)
Public debt
- 41.7% of GDP (2016 est.) 43.9% of GDP (2015 est.) data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions
- note
- data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$59.39 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $58.11 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of broad money
$321.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $323 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$479.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $483.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$390.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $412 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
$748.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $749.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of narrow money
$273.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $271.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
51% of GDP (2016 est.)
Unemployment rate
7% (2016 est.) 7.4% (2015 est.)
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
62 million Mt (2015 est.)
Crude oil - exports
0 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Crude oil - imports
393,900 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Crude oil - production
0 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves
0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)
Electricity - consumption
125.4 billion kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - exports
26.02 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels
6.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
40.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
24.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources
30% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
Electricity - imports
14.29 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
39.67 million kW (2015 est.)
Electricity - production
154.3 billion kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity access
- 100% (2016)
- electrification - total population
- 100% (2016)
Natural gas - consumption
1.25 billion cu m (2015 est.)
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2015 est.)
Natural gas - imports
812 million cu m (2015 est.)
Natural gas - production
0 cu m (2015 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)
Refined petroleum products - consumption
320,200 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports
336,300 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports
220,300 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production
418,700 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Communications
Broadcast media
publicly owned TV broadcaster operates 2 terrestrial networks plus regional stations; multiple privately owned TV 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; publicly owned radio broadcaster operates 3 national stations and a network of 25 regional channels; roughly 100 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 users
- 9,041,427 91.5% (July 2016 est.)
- percent of population
- 91.5% (July 2016 est.)
- total
- 9,041,427
Telephone system
- highly developed telecommunications infrastructure; ranked among leading countries for fixed-line, mobile-cellular, Internet, and broadband penetration coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry some additional telephone channels 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) (2016)
- 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) (2016)
Telephones - fixed lines
- 3,328,371 34 (July 2016 est.)
- subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
- 34 (July 2016 est.)
- total subscriptions
- 3,328,371
Telephones - mobile cellular
- 12,362,191 125 (July 2016 est.)
- subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
- 125 (July 2016 est.)
- total
- 12,362,191
Transportation
Airports
231 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways
- 37 (2013)
- 1,524 to 2,437 m
- 75
- 2,438 to 3,047 m
- 12
- 914 to 1,523 m
- 22
- over 3,047 m
- 3
- total
- 149
- under 914 m
- 37 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways
- 77 (2013)
- 914 to 1,523 m
- 5
- total
- 82
- under 914 m
- 77 (2013)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
SE (2016)
Heliports
2 (2013)
Merchant marine
- bulk carrier 7, general dry cargo 8, anti-pollution vessel 1, cable layer 2, dredge 2, ice 6, inspection 7, survey 6, training 4, tug 11, multi-purpose 1, passenger/ferry 26, ro-pax 38, ro-ro 29, ro-ro/container 4, tanker (ej gas) 37, tanker (LNG) 1 275 (Bahamas 7, Barbados 3, Bermuda 20, Cayman Islands 1, Cook Islands 2, Cyprus 14, Danish Int’l 20, Denmark 2, Faeroe Islands 19, Finland 2, France 1, Germany 5, Gibraltar 19, Italy 1, Latvia 1, Liberia 10, Madeira 11, Malaysia 1, Malta 6, Marshall Islands 7, Netherlands 35, Norway 2, Norwegian International 25, Panama 3, Russia 2, Singapore 16, Spain 2, St. Kitts and Nevis 1, St. Vincent and the Grenadines 11, Tanzania 1, Togo 1, UK 24) (2015)
- by type
- bulk carrier 7, general dry cargo 8, anti-pollution vessel 1, cable layer 2, dredge 2, ice 6, inspection 7, survey 6, training 4, tug 11, multi-purpose 1, passenger/ferry 26, ro-pax 38, ro-ro 29, ro-ro/container 4, tanker (ej gas) 37, tanker (LNG) 1
- foreign
- 275 (Bahamas 7, Barbados 3, Bermuda 20, Cayman Islands 1, Cook Islands 2, Cyprus 14, Danish Int’l 20, Denmark 2, Faeroe Islands 19, Finland 2, France 1, Germany 5, Gibraltar 19, Italy 1, Latvia 1, Liberia 10, Madeira 11, Malaysia 1, Malta 6, Marshall Islands 7, Netherlands 35, Norway 2, Norwegian International 25, Panama 3, Russia 2, Singapore 16, Spain 2, St. Kitts and Nevis 1, St. Vincent and the Grenadines 11, Tanzania 1, Togo 1, UK 24) (2015)
- total
- 190
National air transport system
- 11,623,930 0 mt-km (2015)
- annual freight traffic on registered air carriers
- 0 mt-km (2015)
- annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers
- 11,623,930
- inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers
- 219
- number of registered air carriers
- 8
Pipelines
gas 1,626 km (2013)
Ports and terminals
- Brofjorden, Goteborg, Helsingborg, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Stockholm, Trelleborg, Visby Brunnsviksholme, Lysekil
- LNG terminal(s) (import)
- Brunnsviksholme, Lysekil
- major seaport(s)
- Brofjorden, Goteborg, Helsingborg, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Stockholm, Trelleborg, Visby
Railways
- 14,127 km 14,062 km 1.435-m gauge (12,322 km electrified) 65 km 0.891-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2016)
- narrow gauge
- 65 km 0.891-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2016)
- standard gauge
- 14,062 km 1.435-m gauge (12,322 km electrified)
- total
- 14,127 km
Roadways
- 573,134 km (includes 2,050 km of expressways) 140,100 km 433,034 km includes 98,500 km of state roads, 433,034 km of private roads, and 41,600 km of municipal roads (2016)
- note
- includes 98,500 km of state roads, 433,034 km of private roads, and 41,600 km of municipal roads (2016)
- paved
- 140,100 km
- total
- 573,134 km (includes 2,050 km of expressways)
- unpaved
- 433,034 km
Waterways
2,052 km (2010)
Military and Security
Military branches
- Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2016)
- Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten)
- Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2016)
Military expenditures
1.04% of GDP (2016) 1.09% of GDP (2015) 1.14% of GDP (2014) 1.13% of GDP (2013) 1.15% of GDP (2012)
Military service age and obligation
- 18-47 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; Swedish citizenship required; service obligation: 7.5 months (Army), 7-15 months (Navy), 8-12 months (Air Force); after completing initial service, soldiers have a reserve commitment until age 47; compulsory military service, abolished in 2010, is due to be reinstated in 2018 (2017)
- 18-47 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; Swedish citizenship required; service obligation
- 7.5 months (Army), 7-15 months (Navy), 8-12 months (Air Force); after completing initial service, soldiers have a reserve commitment until age 47; compulsory military service, abolished in 2010, is due to be reinstated in 2018 (2017)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none
Refugees and internally displaced persons
- 96,914 (Syria); 25,968 (Eritrea); 21,693 (Iraq); 22,548 (Somalia); 16,558 (Afghanistan) (2016) 36,036 (2016); note - the majority of stateless people are from the Middle East and Somalia
- refugees (country of origin)
- 96,914 (Syria); 25,968 (Eritrea); 21,693 (Iraq); 22,548 (Somalia); 16,558 (Afghanistan) (2016)
- stateless persons
- 36,036 (2016); note - the majority of stateless people are from the Middle East and Somalia