Sweden

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

29 (2000)

Internet country code

.se

Internet users

6.02 million (2002)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 265, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

8.25 million (1997)

Telephone system

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 - main lines in use

6.017 million (December 1998)

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.835 million (October 1998)

Television broadcast stations

169 (plus 1,299 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions

4.6 million (1997)

Agriculture - products

barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk

Budget

revenues: $119 billion expenditures: $110 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)

Currency

Swedish krona (SEK)

Currency code

SEK

Debt - external

$66.5 billion (1994) (1994)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

25 (1992)

Economic aid - donor

ODA, $1.7 billion (1997) (1997)

Economy - overview

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

139.18 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - exports

13.628 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - imports

18.306 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - production

144.62 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 6% hydro: 54% other: 3% (2000) nuclear: 37%

Exchange rates

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

$80.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

EU 54.6% (Germany 10.6%, UK 8.8%, Denmark 6.1%, Finland 5.7%), US 10.5%, Norway 8.6% (2001)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $227.4 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 2% industry: 29% services: 69% (2001)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $25,400 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1.8% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 4% highest 10%: 20% (1992) (1992)

Imports

$68.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

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

0.9% (2002 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.2% (2002 est.)

Labor force

4.4 million (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

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

Population below poverty line

NA%

Unemployment rate

4% (2002 est.)

Area

total: 449,964 sq km water: 39,030 sq km land: 410,934 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than California

Climate

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

Coastline

3,218 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m

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-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

62 00 N, 15 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas

Irrigated land

1,150 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries

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

Land use

arable land: 6.8% permanent crops: 0% other: 93.2% (1998 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

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

ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic

Natural resources

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

Terrain

mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west

Administrative divisions

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

Stockholm

Constitution

1 January 1975

Country name

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

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

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

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 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)

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Independence

6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)

International organization participation

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

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

Legal system

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

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 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

Flag Day, 6 June

Political parties and leaders

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 pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

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 branches

Army, Royal Navy (including Coast Artillery and Naval Helicopter Service), Air Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$4,395.1 million (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

2.1% (FY01)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 2,060,205 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 1,800,991 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - military age

NA

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males: 51,506 (2002 est.)

Age structure

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

9.81 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Death rate

10.6 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Ethnic groups

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

0.08% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

3,000 (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate

3.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)

Languages

Swedish note: small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 79.84 years female: 82.64 years (2002 est.) male: 77.19 years

Literacy

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

Nationality

noun: Swede(s) adjective: Swedish

Net migration rate

0.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Population

8,876,744 (July 2002 est.)

Population growth rate

0.02% (2002 est.)

Religions

Lutheran 87%, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist

Sex ratio

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

1.54 children born/woman (2002 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Airports

255 (2001)

Airports - with paved runways

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

total: 100 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 90 (2002)

Heliports

2 (2002)

Highways

total: 210,760 km paved: 162,707 km (including 1,428 km of expressways) unpaved: 48,053 km (1999)

Merchant marine

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

natural gas 84 km

Ports and harbors

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

Railways

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

2,052 km note: navigable to small steamers and barges