 Country name conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden
conventional short form: Sweden
local short form: Sverige
local long form: Konungariket Sverige 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.Location Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway Area total: 449,964 sq km
water: 39,030 sq km
land: 410,934 sq km Area - comparative slightly larger than California Coastline 3,218 km Climate temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north Terrain mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west Elevation extremes lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.41 m
highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m Natural hazards ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic Environment - current issues acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea Geography - note strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas Population 8,878,085 (July 2003 est.) Age structure 0-14 years: 17.7% (male 804,296; female 763,213)
15-64 years: 65% (male 2,933,183; female 2,835,835)
65 years and over: 17.3% (male 654,575; female 886,983) (2003 est.) Median age total: 40.1 years
male: 39 years
female: 41.4 years (2002) 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 (2003 est.) Nationality noun: Swede(s)
adjective: Swedish Ethnic groups indigenous population: Swedes and Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks Religions Lutheran 87%, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist Languages Swedish
note: small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities Internet country code .se Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99% (1979 est.)
male: NA%
female: NA% Government type constitutional monarchy National holiday Flag Day, 6 June Legal system civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations International organization participation AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, 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, 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, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC 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 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. Exports - partners US 11.6%, Germany 10.1%, Norway 9%, UK 8.2%, Denmark 5.9%, Finland 5.6%, Netherlands 5.3%, France 5.1%, Belgium 4.7% (2002) Currency Swedish krona (SEK) Currency code SEK Exchange rates Swedish kronor per US dollar - 9.74 (2002), 10.33 (2001), 9.16 (2000), 8.26 (1999), 7.95 (1998) Airports 245 (2002) 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) Disputes - international none |
