Communications
Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]
29 (2000)
Internet country code [time series]
.se
Internet users [time series]
6.02 million (2002)
Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]
AM 1, FM 265, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios [time series]
8.25 million (1997)
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
general assessment: excellent domestic and international facilities; automatic system domestic: coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voice traffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry 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 - main lines in use) [time series]
6.017 million (December 1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
3.835 million (October 1998)
Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]
169 (plus 1,299 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions [time series]
4.6 million (1997)
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk
Budget [time series]
revenues: $119 billion expenditures: $110 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]
Swedish krona (SEK)
Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]
SEK
Debt - external [time series]
$66.5 billion (1994) (1994)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]
25 (1992)
Economic aid (Economic aid - donor) [time series]
ODA, $1.7 billion (1997) (1997)
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole 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 2% of GDP and 2% of the jobs. The government's commitment to fiscal discipline resulted in a substantial budgetary surplus in 2001, which was cut by more than half in 2002, due to the global economic slowdown, revenue declines, and spending increases. The Swedish central bank (the Riksbank) is focusing on price stability with its inflation target of 2%. Growth should pick up to 2.3% in 2003, assuming a moderate global recovery.
Electricity - consumption [time series]
139.18 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports [time series]
13.628 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports [time series]
18.306 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production [time series]
144.62 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source [time series]
fossil fuel: 6% hydro: 54% other: 3% (2000) nuclear: 37%
Exchange rates [time series]
Swedish kronor per US dollar - 10.4381 (January 2002), 10.3291 (2001), 9.1622 (2000), 8.2624 (1999), 7.9499 (1998), 7.6349 (1997)
Exports [time series]
$80.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities [time series]
machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals
Exports - partners [time series]
EU 54.6% (Germany 10.6%, UK 8.8%, Denmark 6.1%, Finland 5.7%), US 10.5%, Norway 8.6% (2001)
Fiscal year [time series]
calendar year
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]
purchasing power parity - $227.4 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]
agriculture: 2% industry: 29% services: 69% (2001)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]
purchasing power parity - $25,400 (2002 est.)
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
1.8% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: 4% highest 10%: 20% (1992) (1992)
Imports [time series]
$68.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities [time series]
machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing
Imports - partners [time series]
EU 66.3% (Germany 17.8%, UK 8.7%, Denmark 8.2%, Netherlands 6.9%, France 6.5%), Norway 8.5%, US 6.7% (2001)
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
0.9% (2002 est.)
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]
2.2% (2002 est.)
Labor force [time series]
4.4 million (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
agriculture 2%, industry 24%, services 74% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line [time series]
NA%
Unemployment rate [time series]
4% (2002 est.)
Geography
total: 449,964 sq km water: 39,030 sq km land: 410,934 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
slightly larger 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
Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea
International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geographic coordinates [time series]
62 00 N, 15 00 E
Geography - note [time series]
strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas
Irrigated land [time series]
1,150 sq km (1998 est.)
Land boundaries [time series]
total: 2,205 km border countries: Finland 586 km, Norway 1,619 km
Land use [time series]
arable land: 6.8% permanent crops: 0% other: 93.2% (1998 est.)
Location [time series]
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, 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 (adjustments made to return a portion of straits to high seas)
Natural hazards [time series]
ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic
Natural resources [time series]
zinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber, uranium, hydropower
Terrain [time series]
mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarnas, Gavleborgs, Gotlands, Hallands, Jamtlands, Jonkopings, Kalmar, Kronobergs, Norrbottens, Orebro, Ostergotlands, Skane, Sodermanlands, Stockholms, Uppsala, Varmlands, Vasterbottens, Vasternorrlands, Vastmanlands, Vastra Gotalands
Capital [time series]
Stockholm
Constitution [time series]
1 January 1975
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden conventional short form: Sweden local short form: Sverige local long form: Konungariket Sverige
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Charles A. HEIMBOLD, Jr. embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds VAG 31, SE-11589 Stockholm mailing address: American Embassy Stockholm, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5750 (pouch) telephone: [46] (08) 783 53 00 FAX: [46] (08) 661 19 64
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Jan ELIASSON consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699 telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600 chancery: 1501 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1702
Executive branch [time series]
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 Goran PERSSON (since 21 March 1996) 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 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006) election results: Goran PERSSON reelected prime minister with 131 out of 349 votes
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
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)
Government type [time series]
constitutional monarchy
Independence [time series]
6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)
International organization participation [time series]
AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 6, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNTAET, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Judicial branch [time series]
Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by the prime minister and the cabinet)
Legal system [time series]
civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Legislative branch [time series]
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 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 39.8%, Moderates 15.2%, Liberal Party 13.3%, Christian Democrats 9.1%, Left Party 8.3%, Center Party 6.1%, Greens 4.6%; seats by party - Social Democrats 144, Moderates 55, Liberal Party 48, Christian Democrats 33, Left Party 30, Center Party 22, Greens 17
National holiday [time series]
Flag Day, 6 June
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
Center Party [Maud OLOFSSON]; Christian Democratic Party [Alf SVENSSON]; Green Party [no formal leader but party spokespersons are Maria WETTERSTRAND and Peter ERIKSSON]; Left Party or VP (formerly Communist) [Gudrun SCHYMAN]; Liberal People's Party [Lars LEIJONBORG]; Moderate Party (conservative) [Bo LUNDGREN]; Social Democratic Party [Goran PERSSON]
Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]
NA
Suffrage [time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background [time series]
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, rising maintenance costs, and a declining position in world markets. Indecision over the country's role in the political and economic integration of Europe delayed Sweden's entry into the EU until 1995, and waived the introduction of the euro in 1999.
Military
Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]
Army, Royal Navy (including Coast Artillery and Naval Helicopter Service), Air Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]
$4,395.1 million (FY01)
Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]
2.1% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability [time series]
males age 15-49: 2,060,205 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]
males age 15-49: 1,800,991 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - military age [time series]
NA
Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]
males: 51,506 (2002 est.)
People
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 18% (male 817,688; female 776,018) 15-64 years: 64.7% (male 2,922,095; female 2,824,770) 65 years and over: 17.3% (male 651,120; female 885,053) (2002 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
9.81 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate [time series]
10.6 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Ethnic groups [time series]
indigenous population: Swedes and Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]
0.08% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
less than 100 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
3,000 (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate [time series]
3.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Languages [time series]
Swedish note: small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 79.84 years female: 82.64 years (2002 est.) male: 77.19 years
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1979 est.) male: NA% female: NA%
Nationality [time series]
noun: Swede(s) adjective: Swedish
Net migration rate [time series]
0.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Population [time series]
8,876,744 (July 2002 est.)
Population growth rate [time series]
0.02% (2002 est.)
Religions [time series]
Lutheran 87%, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
1.54 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Transportation
Airports [time series]
255 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 145 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 25 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 82
Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]
total: 100 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 90 (2002)
Heliports [time series]
2 (2002)
Roadways (Highways) [time series]
total: 210,760 km paved: 162,707 km (including 1,428 km of expressways) unpaved: 48,053 km (1999)
Merchant marine [time series]
total: 174 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,255,344 GRT/1,609,844 DWT note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Denmark 8, Finland 8, Germany 3, Italy 3, Japan 2, Norway 7 (2002 est.) ships by type: bulk 5, cargo 37, chemical tanker 33, combination ore/oil 4, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 27, railcar carrier 1, roll on/roll off 38, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 6, vehicle carrier 18
Pipelines [time series]
natural gas 84 km
Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]
Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Hudiksvall, Kalmar, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Solvesborg, Stockholm, Sundsvall
Railways [time series]
total: 12,821 km standard gauge: 12,600 km 1.435-m gauge (7,918 km electrified) narrow gauge: 221 km 0.891-m gauge (2001)
Waterways [time series]
2,052 km note: navigable to small steamers and barges