Sweden

Kingdom of SwedenKonungariket Sverige

constitutional monarchyIndependence 6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)

Sweden as the 2008 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 136 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalStockholm, UTC+1

Position62 00 N, 15 00 E

Area449,964 sq km

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

Populationas each edition published it

9.05 million July 2008 est. · 8.53m in 1990

Population growth% a year

0.157% 2008 est. · 0.58% in 1993

Median ageyears

41.3 years 2008 est. · 40.1 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

80.74 years 2008 est. · 78.08 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

1.67 children per woman 2008 est. · 1.9 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

2.75 deaths per 1,000 live births 2008 est. · 6 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$37,500 2007 est. · $16,900 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

2.7% 2007 est. · -1.7% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

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

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

20 fields

Land useshare of 449,964 sq km

arable land 5.93%permanent crops 0.01%other 94.06% (2005)irrigated 1,150 sq km (2003)

Area

449,964sq km

land: 410,934 sq kmwater: 39,030 sq kmslightly larger than California

Coastline

3,218km

territorial sea: 12 nm (adjustments made to return a portion of straits to high seas)exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlinescontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Highest point

2,111m

Kebnekaiselowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.41 m

Land boundaries

2,233km

border countries: Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

62 00 N, 15 00 E

Map references

Europe

Climate

temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north

Terrain

mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west

Natural resources

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

Total renewable water resources

179 cu km (2005)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

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

Natural hazards

ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic

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

Geography - note

strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas

People

21 fields

Age structuremale left, female right · (2008 est.)

729,500

65 and over18.3%

929,844

3,008,148

15-6465.6%

2,928,930

745,110

0-1416%

703,857

MaleFemale

Population

9,045,389

(July 2008 est.)growth rate: 0.157% (2008 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2008 est.)

Birth

10.15Death

10.24Net migration

1.66

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2008 est.)80.74

78.49 · 83.13Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)2.75

2.91 · 2.58Literacy (2003 est.)99%

99% · 99%

TotalMale · femaleMedian age years (2008 est.)41.3

40.2 · 42.4School life expectancy years (2006)16

15 · 17

MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1%

(2001 est.)

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.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

3,600 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2003 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Swede(s)
adjective:: Swedish

Ethnic groups

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

Religions

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

Languages

Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Education expenditures

7.1% of GDP (2005)

Government

Constitutional monarchy; King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Prime Minister Fredrik REINFELDT (since 5 October 2006)

18 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

37.2%

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%last held on 17 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2010)

Parliament or Riksdag, 349 seats, elected 17 September 2006seats by party

Social Democrats 130Moderates 97Center Party 29Liberal People's Party 28Christian Democrats 24Left Party 22Greens 19

Percent of vote

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%

Country name

conventional long form:: Kingdom of Sweden
conventional short form:: Sweden
local long form:: Konungariket Sverige
local short form:: Sverige

Government type

constitutional monarchy

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

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

Independence

6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)

National holiday

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

Constitution

1 January 1975

Legal system

civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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

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

Judicial branch

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

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

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Jonas HAFSTROM
chancery:: 2900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:: [1] (202) 467-2600
FAX:: [1] (202) 467-2699
consulate(s) general:: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

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
FAX:: [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)

Economy

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.

51 fields

GDP, purchasing power parity

$338.5billion

(2007 est.)official exchange rate: $455.3 billion (2007 est.)

GDP per capita, PPP

$37,500

(2007 est.)

Real growth rate

2.7%

(2007 est.)industrial production growth: 3% (2007 est.)

Inflation, consumer prices

2.2%

(2007 est.)

GDP - composition by sector(2007 est.)

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

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

10.4%

Germany

18.4%

9.4%

Norway

8.3%

7.4%

Denmark

9.2%

7.6%

7.1%

6.8%

6.4%

Finland

6.1%

5.1%

Netherlands

5.8%

France

4.6%

Belgium

4.1%

China

4.3%

Exports $170.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)Imports $151.4 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)(2007)

Budget

Revenues

$249.1 billionExpenditures

$233.5 billion (2007 est.)

Electricity

Electricity production

143.8 billion (2007 est.)Electricity consumption

133.6 billion (2006 est.)Electricity exports

14.74 billion (2007)Electricity imports

16.61 billion (2007 est.)

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.

Labor force

4.839 million (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

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

Unemployment rate

6.1% (2007 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

23 (2005)

Investment (gross fixed)

19% of GDP (2007 est.)

Public debt

41.7% of GDP (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate

3.5% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

4% (31 December 2004)

Stock of money

$217.1 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$48.49 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit

$630.8 billion (31 December 2007)

Agriculture - products

barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk

Industries

iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles

Oil - production

2,350 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - consumption

353,700 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - exports

219,200 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports

581,000 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2007 est.)

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 - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

Current account balance

$37.97 billion (2007 est.)

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

Imports

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

Imports - commodities

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$31.04 billion (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$598.2 billion (30 June 2006)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$216.6 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$261.5 billion (2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$403.9 billion (2005)

Currency (code)

Swedish krona (SEK)

Exchange rates

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

Communications

8 fields

Mobile cellular

10.371 million

(2007)

Internet users

3.579 million

(2008)

Fixed lines

5.506 million

(2007) · country code .se

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)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 265, shortwave 1 (1998)

Television broadcast stations

169 (plus 1,299 repeaters) (1995)

Internet users

7 million (2007)

Transportation

10 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right

over 3,047 m

2,438 to 3,047 m

1,524 to 2,437 m

914 to 1,523 m

under 914 m

Paved 152Unpaved 98

Networkskm

Roadways

425,300Railways

11,528Waterways

2,052 (2005)

Roadways: paved: 139,300 km (includes 1,740 km of expressways) · unpaved: 286,000 km (2008) · Railways: standard gauge: 11,528 km 1.435-m gauge (7,527 km electrified) (2006)

Airports

250 (2007)

Heliports

2 (2007)

Pipelines

gas 798 km (2007)

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)

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)

Ports and terminals

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

Military

Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2008)

6 fields

Military expenditures

1.5%of GDP

(2005 est.)

Military branches

Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2008)

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)