Sweden

Broadcast media

publicly owned TV broadcaster operates 2 terrestrial networks plus regional stations; multiple privately owned TV broadcasters operating nationally, regionally, and locally; about 50 local TV stations; widespread access to pan-Nordic and international broadcasters through multi-channel cable and satellite TV; publicly owned radio broadcaster operates 3 national stations and a network of 25 regional channels; roughly 100 privately owned local radio stations with some consolidating into near national networks; an estimated 900 community and neighborhood radio stations broadcast intermittently (2008)

Internet country code

.se

Internet users

total: 9,041,427 | percent of population: 91.5% (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 47

Telephone system

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) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 3,328,371 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 43

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 12,362,191 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 125 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 75

Agriculture - products

barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk

Budget

revenues: $261 billion | expenditures: $256.2 billion (2016 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.9% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 27

Central bank discount rate

-0.5% (31 December 2016) | -0.35% (31 December 2015) | note:: the Discount rate was abolished in 2002, and replaced by a "Reference rate" with no bearing on monetary policy; the rate quoted here is the Reference rate | country comparison to the world: 160

Commercial bank prime lending rate

1.85% (31 December 2016 est.) | 1.97% (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 179

Current account balance

$23.07 billion (2016 est.) | $23.28 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 15

Debt - external

$939.9 billion (31 March 2016 est.) | $929.4 billion (31 March 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 17

Distribution of family income - Gini index

24.9 (2013) | 25 (1992) | country comparison to the world: 145

Economy - overview

Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living with its combination of free-market capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. Sweden remains outside the euro zone largely out of concern that joining the European Economic and Monetary Union would diminish the country’s sovereignty over its welfare system. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. | Sweden’s economy experienced modest growth in 2014-16, with real GDP growth above 2%, but continues to struggle with deflationary pressure.

Exchange rates

Swedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar - | 8.5605 (2016 est.) | 8.5605 (2015 est.) | 8.4335 (2014 est.) | 6.8612 (2013 est.) | 6.77 (2012 est.)

Exports

$151.4 billion (2016 est.) | $152.1 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 30

Exports - commodities

machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals (2012 est.)

Exports - partners

Germany 10.6%, Norway 10.4%, US 7.3%, Denmark 7%, Finland 6.8%, UK 6%, Netherlands 5.4%, Belgium 4.7%, France 4.4% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$511 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$497.4 billion (2016 est.) | $476 billion (2015 est.) | $452.4 billion (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 39

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 44.6% | government consumption: 26.2% | investment in fixed capital: 24% | investment in inventories: 0.6% | exports of goods and services: 44.3% | imports of goods and services: -39.7% (2016 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 1.6% | industry: 33.2% | services: 65.2% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$49,800 (2016 est.) | $48,900 (2015 est.) | $47,500 (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 26

GDP - real growth rate

3.2% (2016 est.) | 4.1% (2015 est.) | 2.6% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 86

Gross national saving

29.2% of GDP (2016 est.) | 28.9% of GDP (2015 est.) | 28% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 28

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.4% | highest 10%: 24% (2012)

Imports

$139.9 billion (2016 est.) | $138.5 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 29

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Germany 18.8%, Netherlands 8.2%, Norway 7.8%, Denmark 7.6%, China 5.6%, UK 5.2%, Belgium 4.6%, Finland 4.5%, France 4.1% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

1.4% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 131

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)

1.1% (2016 est.) | 0% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 89

Labor force

5.276 million (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 78

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 2% | industry: 12% | services: 86% (2014 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$560.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.) | $470.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.) | $581.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 21

Population below poverty line

15% (2014 est.)

Public debt

41.7% of GDP (2016 est.) | 43.9% of GDP (2015 est.) | note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions | country comparison to the world: 129

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$59.39 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $58.11 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 36

Stock of broad money

$321.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $323 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$479.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $483.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 17

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$390.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $412 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 20

Stock of domestic credit

$748.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $749.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 19

Stock of narrow money

$273.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $271.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 17

Taxes and other revenues

51% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 14

Unemployment rate

7% (2016 est.) | 7.4% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 92

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

62 million Mt (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 55

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 194

Crude oil - imports

393,900 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 24

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 197

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 196

Electricity - consumption

125.4 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 30

Electricity - exports

26.02 billion kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 7

Electricity - from fossil fuels

6.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 203

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

40.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 50

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

24.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 5

Electricity - from other renewable sources

30% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 13

Electricity - imports

14.29 billion kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 17

Electricity - installed generating capacity

39.67 million kW (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 26

Electricity - production

154.3 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 25

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

1.25 billion cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 94

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 187

Natural gas - imports

812 million cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 63

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 199

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 197

Refined petroleum products - consumption

320,200 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 42

Refined petroleum products - exports

336,300 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 25

Refined petroleum products - imports

220,300 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 30

Refined petroleum products - production

418,700 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 38

Area

total: 450,295 sq km | land: 410,335 sq km | water: 39,960 sq km | country comparison to the world: 57

Area - comparative

almost three times the size of Georgia; 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

mean elevation: 320 m | elevation extremes: lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.4 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-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

62 00 N, 15 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas; Sweden has almost 100,000 lakes, the largest of which, Vanern, is the third largest in Europe

Irrigated land

1,640 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

total: 2,211 km | border countries (2): Finland 545 km, Norway 1,666 km

Land use

agricultural land: 7.5% | arable land 6.4%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 1.1% | forest: 68.7% | other: 23.8% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

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

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

Natural resources

iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower

Population - distribution

most Swedes live in the south where the climate is milder and there is better connectivity to mainland Europe; population clusters are found all along the Baltic coast in the east; the interior areas of the north remain sparsely populated

Terrain

mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west

Administrative divisions

21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarna, Gavleborg, Gotland, Halland, Jamtland, Jonkoping, Kalmar, Kronoberg, Norrbotten, Orebro, Ostergotland, Skane, Sodermanland, Stockholm, Uppsala, Varmland, Vasterbotten, Vasternorrland, Vastmanland, Vastra Gotaland

Capital

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

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no | citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Sweden; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen of Sweden and the father unknown | dual citizenship recognized: no, unless the other citizenship was acquired involuntarily | residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Constitution

history: several previous; latest adopted 1 January 1975 | amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires simple majority vote in two consecutive parliamentary terms with an intervening general election; passage also requires approval by simple majority vote in a referendum if Parliament approves a motion for a referendum by one-third of its members; amended several times, last in 2014 (changes to the "Instrument of Government") (2016)

Country name

conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden | conventional short form: Sweden | local long form: Konungariket Sverige | local short form: Sverige | etymology: name ultimately derives from the North Germanic Svear tribe, which inhabited central Sweden and is first mentioned in the first centuries A.D.

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires David E. LINDWALL (since 20 January 2017) | 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

chief of mission: Ambassador Karin Ulrika OLOFSDOTTER (since 17 September 2017) | chancery: The House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 | telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600 | FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699 | consulate(s) general: New York

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 Stefan LOFVEN (since 3 October 2014); Deputy Prime Minister Isabella LOVIN (since 25 May 2016) | cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister | elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually becomes the prime minister

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); the colors reflect those of the Swedish coat of arms - three gold crowns on a blue field

Government type

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Independence

6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king of Sweden, marking the abolishment of the Kalmar Union between Denmark, Norway, and Sweden)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Sweden (consists of 16 justices including the court chairman); Supreme Administrative Court (consists of 18 justices including the court president) | judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Supreme Administrative Court justices nominated by the Board of Judges, a 9-member nominating body consisting of high-level judges, prosecutors, and members of Parliament; justices appointed by the Government; following a probationary period, justices' appointments are permanent | subordinate courts: first instance, appellate, general, and administrative courts; specialized courts that handle cases such as land and environment, immigration, labor, markets, and patents

Legal system

civil law system influenced by Roman-Germanic law and customary law

Legislative branch

description: unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; 310 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 39 members in "at-large" seats directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) | elections: last held on 14 September 2014 (next to be held on or before 9 September 2018) | election results: percent of vote by party - SAP 31.0%, M 23.3%, SD 12.9%, MP 6.9%, C 6.1%, V 5.7%, L 5.4%, KD 4.6%, other 4.1%; seats by party - SAP 113, M 84, SD 49, MP 25, C 22, V 21, L 19, KD 16

National anthem

name: "Du Gamla, Du Fria" (Thou Ancient, Thou Free) | lyrics/music: Richard DYBECK/traditional | note: in use since 1844; also known as "Sang till Norden" (Song of the North), is based on a Swedish folk tune; it has never been officially adopted by the government; "Kungssangen" (The King's Song) serves as the royal anthem and is played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies

National holiday

National Day, 6 June (1983); note - from 1916 to 1982 this date was celebrated as Swedish Flag Day

National symbol(s)

three crowns, lion; national colors: blue, yellow

Political parties and leaders

Center Party (Centerpartiet) or C [Annie LOOF] | Christian Democrats (Kristdemokraterna) or KD [Ebba Busch THOR] | Green Party (Miljopartiet de Grona) or MP [Isabella LOVIN and Gustav FRIDOLIN] | Left Party (Vansterpartiet) or V [Jonas SJOSTEDT] | Liberal Party (Liberalerna) or L [Jan BJORKLUND] | Moderate Party (Moderaterna) or M [Ulf KRISTERSSON] | Swedish Social Democratic Party (Socialdemokraterna) or SAP [Stefan LOFVEN] | Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna) or SD [Jimmie AKESSON]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (Svenskt Naringsliv) [Carola LEMNE] | Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations or SACO [Goran ARRIUS] | Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees or TCO [Eva NORDMARK] | Swedish Trade Union Confederation (Landsorganisationen) or LO [Karl-Petter THORWALDSSON] | other: environmental groups; media

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war for two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both world wars. Sweden's long-successful economic formula of a capitalist system intermixed with substantial welfare elements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment and in 2000-02 and 2009 by the global economic downturns, 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 branches

Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2016)

Military expenditures

1.04% of GDP (2016) | 1.09% of GDP (2015) | 1.14% of GDP (2014) | 1.13% of GDP (2013) | 1.15% of GDP (2012) | country comparison to the world: 84

Military service age and obligation

18-47 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; Swedish citizenship required; service obligation: 7.5 months (Army), 7-15 months (Navy), 8-12 months (Air Force); after completing initial service, soldiers have a reserve commitment until age 47; compulsory military service, abolished in 2010, is due to be reinstated in 2018 (2017)

Age structure

0-14 years: 17.43% (male 892,462/female 843,375) | 15-24 years: 11.31% (male 581,025/female 545,971) | 25-54 years: 39.42% (male 1,993,590/female 1,933,080) | 55-64 years: 11.58% (male 578,942/female 574,479) | 65 years and over: 20.26% (male 931,593/female 1,085,970) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

12.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 167

Death rate

9.4 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 57

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 58.5 | youth dependency ratio: 27.4 | elderly dependency ratio: 31.1 | potential support ratio: 3.2 (2015 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population | rural: 100% of population | total: 100% of population | urban: 0% of population | rural: 0% of population | total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

7.7% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 20

Ethnic groups

indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; most common countries of origin among immigrants: Finland, Syria, Iraq, Poland, Iran

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 98

HIV/AIDS - deaths

<100 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

11,000 (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 92

Health expenditures

11.9% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 6

Hospital bed density

2.54 beds/1,000 population (2014)

Infant mortality rate

total: 2.6 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 2.9 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 2.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 218

Languages

Swedish (official) | note: Finnish, Sami, Romani, Yiddish, and Meankieli are official minority languages

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 82.1 years | male: 80.2 years | female: 84.2 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 16

Major urban areas - population

STOCKHOLM (capital) 1.486 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

4 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 177

Median age

total: 41.2 years | male: 40.2 years | female: 42.2 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 38

Mother's mean age at first birth

29.1 years (2015 est.)

Nationality

noun: Swede(s) | adjective: Swedish

Net migration rate

5.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 24

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

20.6% (2016) | country comparison to the world: 97

Physicians density

4.11 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

9,960,487 (July 2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 91

Population distribution

most Swedes live in the south where the climate is milder and there is better connectivity to mainland Europe; population clusters are found all along the Baltic coast in the east; the interior areas of the north remain sparsely populated

Population growth rate

0.81% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 131

Religions

Church of Sweden (Lutheran) 63%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 17% (2016 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 99.3% of population | rural: 99.6% of population | total: 99.3% of population | urban: 0.7% of population | rural: 0.4% of population | total: 0.7% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 18 years | male: 17 years | female: 20 years (2014)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female | total population: 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.88 children born/woman (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 141

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 20.4% | male: 21.2% | female: 19.6% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 40

Urbanization

urban population: 86.1% of total population (2017) | rate of urbanization: 0.86% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 96,914 (Syria); 25,968 (Eritrea); 21,693 (Iraq); 22,548 (Somalia); 16,558 (Afghanistan) (2016) | stateless persons: 36,036 (2016); note - the majority of stateless people are from the Middle East and Somalia

Airports

231 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 25

Airports - with paved runways

total: 149 | over 3,047 m: 3 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 75 | 914 to 1,523 m: 22 | under 914 m: 37 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 82 | 914 to 1,523 m: 5 | under 914 m: 77 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

SE (2016)

Heliports

2 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 190 | by type: bulk carrier 7, general dry cargo 8, anti-pollution vessel 1, cable layer 2, dredge 2, ice 6, inspection 7, survey 6, training 4, tug 11, multi-purpose 1, passenger/ferry 26, ro-pax 38, ro-ro 29, ro-ro/container 4, tanker (ej gas) 37, tanker (LNG) 1 | foreign: 275 (Bahamas 7, Barbados 3, Bermuda 20, Cayman Islands 1, Cook Islands 2, Cyprus 14, Danish Int’l 20, Denmark 2, Faeroe Islands 19, Finland 2, France 1, Germany 5, Gibraltar 19, Italy 1, Latvia 1, Liberia 10, Madeira 11, Malaysia 1, Malta 6, Marshall Islands 7, Netherlands 35, Norway 2, Norwegian International 25, Panama 3, Russia 2, Singapore 16, Spain 2, St. Kitts and Nevis 1, St. Vincent and the Grenadines 11, Tanzania 1, Togo 1, UK 24) (2015) | country comparison to the world: 35

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 8 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 219 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 11,623,930 | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 0 mt-km (2015)

Pipelines

gas 1,626 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Brofjorden, Goteborg, Helsingborg, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Stockholm, Trelleborg, Visby | LNG terminal(s) (import): Brunnsviksholme, Lysekil

Railways

total: 14,127 km | standard gauge: 14,062 km 1.435-m gauge (12,322 km electrified) | narrow gauge: 65 km 0.891-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2016) | country comparison to the world: 21

Roadways

total: 573,134 km (includes 2,050 km of expressways) | paved: 140,100 km | unpaved: 433,034 km | note: includes 98,500 km of state roads, 433,034 km of private roads, and 41,600 km of municipal roads (2016) | country comparison to the world: 13

Waterways

2,052 km (2010) | country comparison to the world: 40