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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.se

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

945,221 (2004)

Internet users [time series]

5.125 million (2002)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 1, FM 265, shortwave 1 (1998)

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: country code - 46; 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]

6,579,200 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

7.949 million (2002)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

169 (plus 1,299 repeaters) (1995)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk

Budget [time series]

revenues: $177.7 billion expenditures: $176.9 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2003 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Swedish krona (SEK)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

SEK

Current account balance [time series]

$19.56 billion (2003)

Debt - external [time series]

$66.5 billion (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)

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, declining revenue, and increased spending. The Swedish central bank (the Riksbank) is focusing on price stability with its inflation target of 2%. Growth remained sluggish in 2003. On September 14, 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system, concerned about the impact on democracy and sovereignty.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

134.9 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports [time series]

18.45 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports [time series]

11.14 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production [time series]

152.9 billion kWh (2001)

Exchange rates [time series]

Swedish kronor per US dollar - 8.0853 (2003), 9.7371 (2002), 10.3291 (2001), 9.1622 (2000), 8.2624 (1999)

Exports [time series]

$102.8 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals

Exports - partners [time series]

US 11.5%, Germany 10%, Norway 8.4%, UK 7.8%, Denmark 6.4%, Finland 5.7%, Netherlands 4.9%, France 4.9%, Belgium 4.5% (2003)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity - $238.3 billion (2003 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 - $26,800 (2003 est.)

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

1.7% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 20.1% (1992)

Imports [time series]

$83.27 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Germany 18.7%, Denmark 9%, UK 8%, Norway 8%, Netherlands 6.8%, Finland 5.6%, France 5.5%, Belgium 4.2% (2003)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1.9% (2003 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]

1.9% (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

15.7% of GDP (2003)

Labor force [time series]

4.449 million (2003 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

949 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

968 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

328,600 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

203,700 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports [time series]

553,100 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

Public debt [time series]

51.8% of GDP (2003)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold (Reserves of foreign exchange & gold) [time series]

$19.99 billion (2003)

Unemployment rate [time series]

4.9% (2003 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 449,964 sq km land: 410,934 sq km water: 39,030 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: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.41 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-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 [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: 2,233 km border countries: Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 6.54% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 93.45% (2001)

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]

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

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]

iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, 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 long form: Konungariket Sverige local short form: Sverige

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador M. Teel BIVINS embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds VAG 31, SE-11589 Stockholm mailing address: American Embassy Stockholm, Department of State, 5750 Stockholm Place, 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 chancery: 1501 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1702 telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600 FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

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, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 6, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, 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 [Goran HAGGLUND]; Green Party [no formal leader but party spokespersons are Maria WETTERSTRAND and Peter ERIKSSON]; Left Party or V (formerly Communist) [Lars OHLY]; Liberal People's Party [Lars LEIJONBORG]; Moderate Party (conservative) [Fredrik REINFELDT]; Social Democratic Party [Goran PERSSON]

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

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 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. 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, Air Force (Flygvapnet)

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$4.395 billion (FY01)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

2.1% (FY01)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,082,776 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,821,394 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - military age and obligation [time series]

19 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 7 to 17 months depending on conscript role; after completing initial service soldiers have a reserve commitment until the age of 47 (2004)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 56,859 (2004 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 17.5% (male 807,193; female 762,882) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 2,974,107; female 2,886,840) 65 years and over: 17.3% (male 668,719; female 886,659) (2004 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10.46 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate [time series]

10.38 deaths/1,000 population (2004 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]

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 100 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

3,300 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 2.77 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)

Languages [time series]

Swedish note: small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 80.3 years male: 78.12 years female: 82.62 years (2004 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Median age [time series]

total: 40.3 years male: 39.2 years female: 41.5 years (2004 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Swede(s) adjective: Swedish

Net migration rate [time series]

1.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Population [time series]

8,986,400 (July 2004 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.18% (2004 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: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.66 children born/woman (2004 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Transportation

Airports [time series]

255 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 154 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 82 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 35 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 100 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 90 (2004 est.)

Heliports [time series]

2 (2003 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 212,402 km paved: 166,523 km (including 1,499 km of expressways) unpaved: 45,879 km (2000)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 178 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,702,763 GRT/1,884,570 DWT by type: bulk 7, cargo 36, chemical tanker 31, combination bulk 1, combination ore/oil 1, petroleum tanker 25, roll on/roll off 39, short-sea/passenger 8, specialized tanker 7, vehicle carrier 23 foreign-owned: Denmark 12, Finland 10, Germany 3, Italy 7, Japan 2, Netherlands 1, Norway 12, Russia 1 registered in other countries: 154 (2004 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 798 km (2004)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

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

Railways [time series]

total: 11,481 km standard gauge: 11,481 km 1.435-m gauge (7,527 km electrified) (2003)