Introduction
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. Since then, Sweden has pursued a successful economic formula consisting of a capitalist system intermixed with substantial welfare elements.
Geography
Area
total : 450,295 sq km
land: 410,335 sq km
water: 39,960 sq km
Climate
temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north
Natural resources
iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower
People and Society
Population
total: 10,589,835
Ethnic groups
Swedish 79.6%, Syrian 1.9%, Iraqi 1.4%, Finnish 1.3%, other 15.8%
(2022 est.)Languages
Swedish (official)
Religions
Church of Sweden (Lutheran) 53.9%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 8.9%, none or unspecified 37.2% (2021 est.)
Population growth rate
0.51% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Capital
name: Stockholm
Executive branch
chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 15 September 1973)
head of government: Prime Minister Ulf KRISTERSSON (since 18 October 2022)
Legislative branch
summary: unicameral Parliament (349 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Urban AHLIN (since 15 September 2023)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Erik D. RAMANATHAN (since 20 January 2022)
Economy
Economic overview
high-income, largest Nordic economy; EU member but non-euro user; export-oriented led by automotive, electronics, machinery and pharmaceuticals; highly ranked for competitiveness, R&D investments and governance; slowdown triggered by high inflation, weak consumption and financial tightening
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$676.353 billion (2023 est.)
$677.682 billion (2022 est.)
$660.102 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$64,200 (2023 est.)
$64,600 (2022 est.)
$63,400 (2021 est.)
Exports
$324.073 billion (2023 est.)
$314.412 billion (2022 est.)
$299.365 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 10%, Norway 10%, US 9%, Denmark 8%, Finland 7% (2022)
Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, packaged medicine, paper, electricity (2022)
Imports
$296.796 billion (2023 est.)
$298.253 billion (2022 est.)
$268.334 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
Germany 16%, Netherlands 10%, Norway 9%, China 7%, Denmark 6% (2022)
Imports - commodities
crude petroleum, cars, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, garments (2022)
Page last updated: Tuesday, September 17, 2024
