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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.se

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

3.579 million (2008)

Internet users [time series]

7 million (2007)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 1, FM 265, shortwave 1 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

5.506 million (2007)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

10.371 million (2007)

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: $249.1 billion expenditures: $233.5 billion (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

3.5% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

4% (31 December 2004)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

Swedish krona (SEK)

Current account balance [time series]

$37.97 billion (2007 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$598.2 billion (30 June 2006)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

23 (2005)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

133.6 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

14.74 billion kWh (2007)

Electricity - imports [time series]

16.61 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

143.8 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates [time series]

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

Exports [time series]

$170.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 10.4%, Norway 9.4%, US 7.6%, Denmark 7.4%, UK 7.1%, Finland 6.4%, Netherlands 5.1%, France 5%, Belgium 4.6% (2007)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$455.3 billion (2007 est.)

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

$338.5 billion (2007 est.)

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

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

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

$37,500 (2007 est.)

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

2.7% (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 22.2% (2000)

Imports [time series]

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

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Germany 18.4%, Denmark 9.2%, Norway 8.3%, UK 6.8%, Finland 6.1%, Netherlands 5.8%, France 5%, China 4.3%, Belgium 4.1% (2007)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3% (2007 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% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

19% of GDP (2007 est.)

Labor force [time series]

4.839 million (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$403.9 billion (2005)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

1.006 billion cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

1.006 billion cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

353,700 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

219,200 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports [time series]

581,000 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - production [time series]

2,350 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)

Public debt [time series]

41.7% of GDP (2007 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$31.04 billion (2006 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$261.5 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$216.6 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$630.8 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of money) [time series]

$217.1 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of quasi money) [time series]

$48.49 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate [time series]

6.1% (2007 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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

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

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 (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 2,233 km border countries: Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 5.93% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 94.06% (2005)

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

Total renewable water resources [time series]

179 cu km (2005)

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, Stockholm, Uppsala, Varmlands, Vasterbottens, Vasternorrlands, Vastmanlands, Vastra Gotalands

Capital [time series]

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

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 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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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

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 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

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]

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

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 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

National holiday [time series]

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

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

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

Children's Rights in Society; Central Association of Salarited Emplyees or TCO; Swedish Federation of Trade Unions or LO other: media

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. Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public rejected the introduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 2,052,890 females age 16-49: 1,980,550 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,699,115 females age 16-49: 1,637,868 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 64,605 female: 61,110 (2008 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

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

Military expenditures [time series]

1.5% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

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)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 16% (male 745,110/female 703,857) 15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,008,148/female 2,928,930) 65 years and over: 18.3% (male 729,500/female 929,844) (2008 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10.15 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate [time series]

10.24 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

7.1% of GDP (2005)

Ethnic groups [time series]

indigenous population: Swedes with 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]

fewer than 100 (2003 est.)

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

3,600 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 2.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Languages [time series]

Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 80.74 years male: 78.49 years female: 83.13 years (2008 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 41.3 years male: 40.2 years female: 42.4 years (2008 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Swede(s) adjective: Swedish

Net migration rate [time series]

1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Population [time series]

9,045,389 (July 2008 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.157% (2008 est.)

Religions [time series]

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years (2006)

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: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.67 children born/woman (2008 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Transportation

Airports [time series]

250 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 152 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 75 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 38 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 98 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 92 (2007)

Heliports [time series]

2 (2007)

Merchant marine [time series]

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)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 798 km (2007)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

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

Railways [time series]

total: 11,528 km standard gauge: 11,528 km 1.435-m gauge (7,527 km electrified) (2006)

Roadways [time series]

total: 425,300 km paved: 139,300 km (includes 1,740 km of expressways) unpaved: 286,000 km (2008)

Waterways [time series]

2,052 km (2005)