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Communications

Military and security forces (Branches) [time series]

Swedish Army, Royal Swedish Navy, Swedish Air Force

Military expenditures (Defense expenditures) [time series]

exchange rate conversion - $5.8 billion, 2.5% of GDP (FY94/95)

Manpower availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,133,816 males fit for military service: 1,867,031 males reach military age (19) annually: 51,357 (1996 est.)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 5, FM 360 (mostly repeaters), shortwave 0

Radios [time series]

7.272 million (1993 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

excellent domestic and international facilities; automatic system domestic: coaxial and multiconductor cable carry most voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay network carries some additional telephone channels international: 5 submarine coaxial cables; 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 - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

7.41 million (1986 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

880 (mostly repeaters)

Televisions [time series]

3.5 million Defense

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture) [time series]

grains, sugar beets, potatoes; meat, milk

Budget [time series]

revenues: $109.4 billion expenditures: $146.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY95/96)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Swedish krona (SKr) = 100 oere

Economic aid [time series]

donor: ODA, $1.769 billion (1993)

Economic overview [time series]

Aided by peace and neutrality during World War I through World War II, 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. In 1993, agriculture accounted for only 2% of GDP and 2% of the jobs. In recent years, however, this extraordinarily favorable picture has been clouded by budgetary difficulties, inflation, growing unemployment, and a gradual loss of competitiveness in international markets. In November 1992, Sweden broke its tie to the EC's ECU (European Currency Unit), and depreciation of the krona has boosted export competitiveness and helped lift Sweden out of its 1991-93 recession. To curb the budget deficit and bolster confidence in the economy, the government adopted an adjustment program in November 1994 that aims to eliminate the government budget deficit and to stabilize the debt to GDP ratio. Sweden has harmonized its economic policies with those of the EU, which it joined at the start of 1995.

Electricity [time series]

capacity: 34,560,000 kW production: 141 billion kWh consumption per capita: 14,891 kWh (1993)

Exchange rates [time series]

Swedish kronor (SKr) per US$1 - 6.7240 (January 1996), 7.1333 (1995), 7.7160 (1994), 7.7834 (1993), 5.8238 (1992), 6.0475 (1991)

Exports [time series]

$61.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: machinery, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products partners: EU 59.1% (Germany 13.2%, UK 10.2%, Denmark 6.9%, France 5.1%), Norway 8.1%, Finland 4.8%, US 8.0% (1994)

Debt - external (External debt) [time series]

$66.5 billion (1994)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 January - 31 December (Sweden changed its fiscal year from 1 July - 30 June in 1995)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $177.3 billion (1995 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 2% industry: 27% services: 71% (1993)

Real GDP per capita (GDP per capita) [time series]

$20,100 (1995 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP real growth rate) [time series]

3.5% (1995 est.)

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment point for narcotics shipped via the former Soviet Republics and Baltic states for the European market

Imports [time series]

$51.8 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, foodstuffs, iron and steel, clothing partners: EU 62.6% (Germany 18.4%, UK 9.5%, Denmark 6.6%, France 5.5%), Finland 6.3%, Norway 6.1%, US 8.5% (1994)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

11.7% (1994)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.6% (1995)

Labor force [time series]

4.552 million (84% unionized, 1992) by occupation: community, social and personal services 38.3%, mining and manufacturing 21.2%, commerce, hotels, and restaurants 14.1%, banking, insurance 9.0%, communications 7.2%, construction 7.0%, agriculture, fishing, and forestry 3.2% (1991)

Unemployment rate [time series]

7.8% (December 1995) plus about 6% in training programs

Geography

Area [time series]

total area: 449,964 sq km land area: 410,928 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than California

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

3,218 km

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

current issues: acid rain damaging soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea natural hazards: ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea

Geographic coordinates [time series]

62 00 N, 15 00 E

Geography - note (Geographic note) [time series]

strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas

Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]

none

Irrigated land [time series]

1,120 sq km (1989 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 2,205 km border countries: Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 7% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 2% forest and woodland: 64% other: 27%

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlines territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural resources [time series]

zinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber, uranium, hydropower potential

Terrain [time series]

mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

24 provinces (lan, singular and plural); Alvsborgs Lan, Blekinge Lan, Gavleborgs Lan, Goteborgs och Bohus Lan, Gotlands Lan, Hallands Lan, Jamtlands Lan, Jonkopings Lan, Kalmar Lan, Kopparbergs Lan, Kristianstads Lan, Kronobergs Lan, Malmohus Lan, Norrbottens Lan, Orebro Lan, Ostergotlands Lan, Skaraborgs Lan, Sodermanlands Lan, Stockholms Lan, Uppsala Lan, Varmlands Lan, Vasterbottens Lan, Vasternorrlands Lan, Vastmanlands Lan

Capital [time series]

Stockholm

Constitution [time series]

1 January 1975

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation in US) [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Carl Henrik Sihver LILJEGREN chancery: 1501 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973) is a constitutional monarch; Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the King (born 14 July 1977) head of government: Prime Minister Goran PERSSON (since 21 March 1996) was elected by the Riksdag cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the prime minister

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[46] (8) 661 19 64

Flag [time series]

blue with a yellow cross that extends 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)

Independence [time series]

6 June 1523, Gustav VASA was elected king; 6 June 1809, a constitutional monarchy was established

International organization participation [time series]

AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 6, G- 8, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

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

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral

Country name (Name of country) [time series]

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

National holiday [time series]

Day of the Swedish Flag, 6 June

Legislative branch (Parliament (Riksdag)) [time series]

elections last held 18 September 1994 (next to be held NA September 1998); results - Social Democrats 45.4%, Moderate Party (Conservatives) 22.3%, Center Party 7.7%, Liberals 7.2%, Left Party 6.2%, Greens 5.8%, Christian Democrats 4.1%, New Democracy Party 1.2%; seats - (349 total) Social Democrats 162, Moderate Party (Conservatives) 80, Center Party 27, Liberals 26, Left Party 22, Greens 18, Christian Democrats 14; note - the New Democracy Party did not receive a seat because parties require a minimum of 4.0% of votes for a seat in parliament

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Social Democratic Party, Goran PERSSON; Moderate Party (conservative), Carl BILDT; Liberal People's Party, Maria LEISSNER; Center Party, Olof JOHANSSON; Christian Democratic Party, Alf SVENSSON; New Democracy Party, Vivianne FRANZEN; Left Party (VP; Communist), Gudrun SCHYMAN; Communist Workers' Party, Rolf HAGEL; Green Party, no formal leader but party spokesperson is Briger SCHLAUG

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Government type (Type of government) [time series]

constitutional monarchy

Diplomatic representation from the US (US diplomatic representation) [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas L. SIEBERT embassy: Strandvagen 101, S-115 89 Stockholm mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [46] (8) 783 53 00

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 19% (male 860,940; female 815,967) 15-64 years: 64% (male 2,884,687; female 2,794,593) 65 years and over: 17% (male 654,439; female 890,328) (July 1996 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

11.55 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate [time series]

11.43 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

white, Lapp (Sami), foreign-born or first-generation immigrants 12% (Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

4.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Languages [time series]

Swedish note: small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 78.06 years male: 75.62 years female: 80.63 years (1996 est.)

Literacy [time series]

age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.) total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA%

Nationality [time series]

noun: Swede(s) adjective: Swedish

Net migration rate [time series]

5.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population [time series]

8,900,954 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.56% (1996 est.)

Religions [time series]

Evangelical Lutheran 94%, Roman Catholic 1.5%, Pentecostal 1%, other 3.5% (1987)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.72 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

total: 251 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 85 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 26 with paved runways under 914 m: 127 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 (1995 est.)

Heliports [time series]

1 (1995 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 135,859 km paved: 97,818 km (including 936 km of expressways) unpaved: 38,041 km (1991 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 169 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,993,422 GRT/2,183,215 DWT ships by type: bulk 10, cargo 35, chemical tanker 24, combination ore/oil 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 32, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 38, short-sea passenger 7, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 14 (1995 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

natural gas 84 km

Ports [time series]

Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Hudiksvall, Kalmar, Karlshamn, Malmo, Solvesborg, Stockholm, Sundsvall

Railways [time series]

total: 12,624 km (includes 953 km of privately-owned railways) standard gauge: 11,767 km 1.435-m gauge (7,320 km electrified and 1,152 km double track) other: 857 km NA-m gauge (1995)

Waterways [time series]

2,052 km navigable for small steamers and barges