Sweden
Kingdom of SwedenKonungariket Sverige
constitutional monarchyIndependence 6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)
Sweden as the 2012 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 157 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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.
Geography
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway
20 fieldsLand useshare of 450,295 sq km
Location
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway
Climate
temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north
Natural resources
iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower
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
People and Society
29 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2012 est.)
Per 1,000 population
Male · female
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%
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.06 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.06 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 1.02 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.81 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Government
Constitutional monarchy; King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Prime Minister Fredrik REINFELDT (since 5 October 2006)
21 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Parliament or Riksdag, 349 seats, elected 19 September 2010seats by party
Percent of vote
Country name
- conventional long form:
- Kingdom of Sweden
- conventional short form:
- Sweden
- local long form:
- Konungariket Sverige
- local short form:
- Sverige
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, Dalarna, Gavleborg, Gotland, Halland, Jamtland, Jonkoping, Kalmar, Kronoberg, Norrbotten, Orebro, Ostergotland, Skane, Sodermanland, Stockholm, Uppsala, Varmland, Vasterbotten, Vasternorrland, Vastmanland, Vastra Gotaland
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
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); Deputy Prime Minister Jan BJORKLUND (since 5 October 2010)
- cabinet:
- Cabinet appointed by the prime minister; (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)
- 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
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 19 September 2010 (next to be held in September 2014)
- election results:
- percent of vote by party - Social Democratic Party 30.7%, Moderate Party 30.1%, Green Party 7.3%, Liberal People's Party 7.1%, Center Party 6.6%, Sweden Democrats 5.7%, Christian Democrats 5.6%, Left Party 5.6%, others 1.3%;
- seats by party - Social Democratic Party 112, Moderate Party 107, Green Party 25, Liberal People's Party 24, Center Party 23, Sweden Democrats 20, Christian Democrats 19, Left Party 19
Judicial branch
Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen; Supreme Administrative Court note: the Supreme Court is the highest court of general jurisdiction and the Supreme Administrative Court is the highest administrative court
Political parties and leaders
- Center Party (Centerpartiet) or C [Annie LOOF];
- Christian Democrats (Kristdemokraterna) or KD [Goran HAGGLUND];
- Green Party (Miljopartiet de Grona);
- [spokespersons Asa ROMSON and Gustav FRIDOLIN];
- Left Party (Vansterpartiet) (formerly Communist Party) or V [Jonas SJOSTEDT];
- Liberal People's Party (Folkpartiet) or FP [Jan BJORKLUND];
- Moderate Party (Moderaterna) [Fredrik REINFELDT];
- Social Democratic Party (Socialdemokraterna) or SAP [Stefan LOFVEN];
- Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna) or SD [Jimmie AKESSON]
Political pressure groups and leaders
- Children's Rights in Society;
- Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees or TCO;
- Swedish Trade Union Confederation (Landsorganisationen) or LO [Wanja LUNDBY-WEDIN]
- other:
- environmental groups; media
International organization participation
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EITI (implementing country), ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Jonas HAFSTROM
- chancery:
- The House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 467-2600
- FAX:
- [1] (202) 467-2699
- consulate(s) general:
- New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Mark BRZEZINSKI
- 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);
- the colors reflect those of the Swedish coat of arms - three gold crowns on a blue field
National anthem
- name:
- "Du Gamla, Du Fria" (Thou Ancient, Thou Free)
- 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
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.
39 fieldsGDP - composition by sector(2012 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
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 highly 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 vast majority of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for about 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, which continued in 2011, but growth slipped to 1.2% in 2012. The government proposed stimulus measures in 2012 to curb the effects of a global economic slowdown and boost employment and growth.
Distribution of family income - Gini index
23 (2005) · 25 (1992) country comparison to the world: 136
Public debt
38.6% of GDP (2012 est.) · 38.3% of GDP (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 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
Central bank discount rate
5.5% (31 December 2010 est.) · 0.5% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
Commercial bank prime lending rate
3.8% (31 December 2012 est.) · 4.28% (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 167
Stock of narrow money
$243 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $232.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 17
Stock of broad money
$440.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.) · $422.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 25
Stock of domestic credit
$803.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $725.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 19
Current account balance
$37.56 billion (2012 est.) · $37.73 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 13
Exports - commodities
machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals
Imports - commodities
machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$50.35 billion (31 December 2011 est.) · $48.3 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35
Debt - external
$1.016 trillion (30 June 2011) · $853.3 billion (30 June 2010) country comparison to the world: 16
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$356.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $338.4 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 17
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$385.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $358.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 16
Exchange rates
Swedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar - 6.819 (2012 est.) · 6.4918 (2011 est.) · 7.2075 (2010 est.) · 7.6529 (2009) · 6.4074 (2008)
Energy
23 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 35.29 million kW(2009 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
62.74 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Communications
7 fieldsTelephone 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)
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)
Transportation
10 fieldsMerchant marine, 135 ships by type
Airports by runway lengthpaved only
Airports by runway lengthunpaved only
Networkskm
Railways
- total:
- 11,633 km
country comparison to the world: 20
- standard gauge:
- 11,568 km 1.435-m gauge (7,567 km electrified)
- narrow gauge:
- 65 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways
total: 572,900 km (includes 1,855 km of expressways) country comparison to the world: 12 note: (includes 98,400 km of state roads, 433,500 km of private roads, and 41,000 km of municipal roads; 215,700 km of these are open to public traffic) (2009)
Ports and terminals
Brofjorden, Goteborg, Helsingborg, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Stockholm, Trelleborg, Visby
Military
Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2010)
6 fieldsMilitary branches
Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2010)
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)
Manpower available for military service
- males age 16-49:
- 2,065,691
- females age 16-49:
- 1,996,764 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Sweden.” The World Factbook 2012. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/sweden/2012.