Sweden

Full name of country: Kingdom of Sweden

Region: Europe

Official language: Swedish

Population: 10,589,835 (2024 est.)

Nationality: Swede(s) (noun), Swedish (adjective)

Land area: 410,335 sq km (158,431 sq miles)

Water area: 39,960 sq km (15,429 sq miles)

Capital: Stockholm

National anthem: "Du Gamla, Du Fria" (Thou Ancient, Thou Free), by Richard Dybeck/Traditional

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

Population growth: 0.51% (2024 est.)

Time zone: UTC +1

Flag: The flag of Sweden features a golden-yellow cross displayed vertically against a blue background. The arms of the cross are situated closer to the hoist (left) side of the flag. The colors blue and yellow are also featured on the Swedish coat of arms.

Independence: June 6, 1523 (Gustav Vasa elected king)

Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

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

Sweden is one of the five nations that make up the area of northern Europe known as Scandinavia. As one of the only European countries to remain politically neutral throughout the twentieth century, Sweden has long been a land of peace and prosperity. It is separated from its Scandinavian neighbors by mountains to the west and the Baltic Sea to the east. Its people are known as Swedes.

Note: unless otherwise indicated, statistical data in this article is sourced from the CIA World Factbook, as cited in the bibliography.

People and Culture

Population: Sweden's population has one of the higher life expectancies of any nation in the world (82.9 years for the total population, according to 2024 estimates). It is said that Swedes benefit from the healthy environment in which they live. The country consistently ranks high on the United Nations Human Development Index, ranking number five in 2022.

Sweden's Indigenous population consists of Swedes (79.6 percent of the population, according to 2022 estimates), as well as Finnish (1.3 percent) and Sami minority groups. Most ethnic Swedes have very fair skin, blue eyes, and blond hair, although the population has grown more diverse in the twenty-first century. Other ethnic groups in Sweden include Syrians (1.9 percent of the population), Iraqis (1.4 percent), and other ethnicities (15.8 percent). Swedish is the official language, while Finnish, Sami, Romani, Yiddish, and Meankieli are designated as official minority languages.

Large land area and a relatively low population cause Sweden to have a low population density. However, the population distribution is heavily lopsided. The majority of Swedes live around the urban areas in the southern region of the country, called Götaland.

The capital, Stockholm, has been called the "Venice of the North," because of the city's extensive water area. The coastal city lies on fourteen main islands, and there are 24,000 more islands making up a nearby archipelago. This archipelago is casually referred to as Stockholm's "pearl necklace." Stockholm is an architecturally beautiful and very clean city. Littering in Sweden is highly uncommon, and residents tend to have a great respect for public property.

Indigenous People: Archaeologists believe that Sweden may have been inhabited as early as the Stone Age, 6000 to 4000 BCE. These ancient people were the earliest of the Sami tribes, who have remained in Sweden ever since.

The Vikings invaded Scandinavia in 793, and remained for hundreds of years. Modern Swedes are descended from the medieval Vikings, with whom they share Germanic physical traits.

It is believed that the Vikings established a trading port on the island of Björkö, located west of Stockholm. Many European artifacts dating back to the ninth and tenth centuries can be traced to Birka, a Viking town on Björkö that for 200 years was one of Europe's busiest trading centers.

Despite being conquered by the Vikings in the ninth century and Russia in the eleventh century, the Sami have remained in Sweden. They inhabit the northern area of Norrland, which is often called Lapland.

The Sami speak a language that is generally believed to be related to Finnish. Their colorful, patterned clothing is designed to protect against the cold. Ancient Sami were nomadic groups, but today most live in villages and on family farms. Many Sami families raise reindeer as livestock and use them for food, clothing, and farm work. There are thought to be about 80,000–100,000 Sami living in Scandinavia, 20,000–40,000 of which live in Sweden.

Education: Children in Sweden typically begin their education at age six, with compulsory schooling running in four stages through year nine. All children from age six to thirteen also have access to free before- and after-school care. Sami children may be educated at special sameskolor, or Sami schools.

A large percentage of Swedish students continue their education through upper secondary school, and most go on to study at one of Sweden's national universities, in Umeå, Stockholm, Lund, Linköping, Göteborg, and Uppsala. The literacy rate among Swedes has remained high.

Health Care: Sweden's health care and social welfare systems provide for citizens from birth to death. Young children receive day care services before they begin school, and parents are granted extensive maternity and paternity leave from work. Limits on health care costs make the system affordable to people with health problems, although most Swedes are accommodated by free medical services.

Public pensions are set for retired citizens. Widows, children who have lost one parent, and orphans are all granted pensions as well. Unemployment compensation is available to citizens at a rate of up to 80 percent of their former pay until they find another job.

Food: The most famous food concept from Sweden is the smörgåsbord. A typical smörgåsbord accommodates large groups eating together, as it is arranged as a buffet of various foods and beverages for diners to serve themselves.

Swedes tend to eat a basic daily diet that consists of a light breakfast, a casual lunch, and a larger family dinner. Fish is a staple in many Swedish meals. Meatballs (köttbullar) are a common entree and are prepared in a number of ways using a variety of spices. Coffee is the most popular beverage, and is typically served black. Other popular beverages include beer and a kind of liquor called aquavit.

Arts & Entertainment: Architecture and design are considered among Sweden's most important art forms. The simplified, relaxed furniture design and textile styles used in Swedish homes have been highly influential in the Western world.

Folk music and dance are also artistically important. The north-central city of Dalarna hosts many summer folk festivals, which include traditional costumes, dancing, and outdoor entertainment.

In the twentieth century, director Ingmar Bergman and playwright August Strindberg emerged from Sweden as important figures in film and drama. Sweden has also produced many internationally famous film actors, including Greta Garbo, Ann-Margaret, Liv Ullman, Bibi Andersson, and Ingrid Bergman.

Nordic (cross-country) skiing is the most popular sport, both professionally and recreationally. An annual 89-kilometer (55-mile) Nordic skiing race is held in Dalarna. This competition, called the Vasa Race, is a large national event in which hundreds of Swedes participate. Other popular sports include soccer, ice hockey, sailing, and tennis. Tennis star Björn Borg found international success in the 1970s.

Holidays: Secular holidays observed in Sweden include Nationaldagen (National Day), celebrated on June 6. In late June, Swedes celebrate Midsommardagen, or Midsummer Day, with many festivities including outdoor music, dancing, and food.

On December 13, Swedes celebrate Saint Lucia Day, also known as the Festival of Light. On this day, the young girls in a Swedish family wear white gowns and garland wreaths in their hair, and wake up the rest of the family by singing to them and then serving breakfast.

Environment and Geography

Topography: Sweden's highest point is Mount Kebnekaise, in the Kölen Mountains, at 2,100 meters (6,889 feet). Along the Baltic and the Gulf of Bothnia, there are 7,600 kilometers (4,700 miles) of coastline. Major lakes include Vänern, the largest lake, as well as Märlaren and Hjälmaren. Major rivers include the Göta, the Dal, the Angerman, the Ume, and the Luleålv.

Sweden can be divided into four main geographic regions. These are the Mountain Range in the northwest, the Inner Northland, the Swedish Lowland in the central region, and the South Swedish Highland in the south. The Mountain Range area consists of the Kölen Mountains, which divide Norway and Sweden.

The southern region of the country, called Götaland, is separated into distinct highlands and lowlands. The Skåne region is made up of vast plains and has the best land for farming. It is also a very wealthy area that has many ancient castles and manors.

Småland is a rocky coastal region with many bays and inlets. There are several islands off the Småland shore, including the 137 kilometer (85 mile)-long Öland Island. Götland Island is another large island, known for its beautiful array of wildflowers and natural limestone formations.

The northern area of Norrland comprises three-fifths of the country's area. Much of this region is a vast, uninhabited forest that extends above the Arctic Circle. In the northern parts of Norrland, known as the "Land of the Midnight Sun," there is no sunlight during the winter, and the sun never sets during the summer.

Natural Resources: One of Sweden's most abundant natural resources is copper. The copper mines in the city of Falun once provided two-thirds of the world's copper. Cottages all over Sweden are painted red because the paint contains copper, which helps guard against harsh winter weather.

Zinc and iron have also been extracted from the mines. Other important natural resources include timber, crystal, iron, and hydroelectric and nuclear power.

Plants & Animals: Much of Sweden is covered by forest, lake, and river habitats. Combined with its extensive coastline and vast national parks, the nation is home to many varieties of plants and animals. Wild orchids can be found on the island of Gotland. Swedish trees are mostly hardwood or coniferous. Common trees include birch, oak, pine, maple, and ash.

An unwritten law known as Allemansrätt, or Everyman's Right, allows Swedes to pick any vegetables, berries, flowers, and any other plants on any Swedish land. The absence of trespassing laws means that families are welcome to wander into each other's fields and collect wildflowers. The same precept applies to swimming, hiking, and other nature-oriented activities.

Moose and deer are a common sight in the forests in central and northern Sweden. Squirrels, rabbits, and badgers are also found in the forests. Further north, bears and wolverines roam the forests of Norrland, though these larger mammals are generally few in numbers and are considered threatened. Reindeer are of great importance to the Sami tribes, who use them for carrying sleds and performing other tasks. The arctic lemming is a small migratory rodent native to Sweden.

Several varieties of owls, including the great grey owl, are also native to Swedish forests. Coastal birds include the Caspian tern, gull, and sea eagle. Inland waterfowl thrive in the country's lake habitats. The native whooping swan can be found living among ducks, cranes, and partridges.

Otters and whales are the most common sea mammals. Sweden's coast is heavily fished for cod, mackerel, herring, shellfish, and flounder, while the freshwater areas supply salmon, trout, and pike.

Climate: Sweden has a moderate climate and a long winter. Although summer temperatures are favorable, especially in the southern urban areas, some parts of Norrland reach cold extremes during the winter. Sweden's winter temperature average is in the range of -5° to -1° Celsius (22° to 30° Fahrenheit) and the summer average is roughly 14° to 21° Celsius (57° to 70° Fahrenheit).

Rainfall is not remarkably high or low in Sweden. Stockholm averages 55 centimeters annually (22 inches) while Goteborg receives roughly 67 centimeters (26 inches). Norrland and the Mountain Range receive copious amounts of snow during the winter. Typically all of the rivers and lakes in Sweden freeze over in the winter, and some are used as traffic routes for autos once they are frozen thick enough. At the same time, by the beginning of the third decade of the twenty-first century, Sweden, like most other countries, had experienced changes to seasonal temperatures as well as precipitation related to global warming, with both largely increasing.

Economy

Engineering is one of the largest sectors of Sweden's economy. The majority of Sweden's labor force is employed in service industries. In 2023, Sweden's GDP was an estimated US$676.353 billion. The per capita gross domestic product (GDP) was an estimated US$64,200.

Industry: Industrial centers in Sweden include Småland, home of numerous glassworks factories; and Göteborg, site of the largest port in Scandinavia and one of the largest ports in Europe, as well as the headquarters of the Volvo automobile company. There are many more factories in Malmö, the capital of the Skåne region. Industrial production includes precision equipment, food processing, timber, and ironworks.

Sweden's primary trading partners are members of the European Union, the United States, China, and Norway. Swedish exports include motor vehicles, machinery, iron products, and paper. These generate a great deal of revenue because Sweden's imported goods are less valuable than the exports.

Agriculture: Despite low population density, abundant vacant plains and forests, and rich natural resources, agriculture is not a substantial factor in Sweden's economy.

There are many hills, peat bogs, and clay deposits in the lowlands of Sweden. The southern towns are arranged with the farms and the towns blocked off systematically.

Grains, potatoes, and other field crops are grown, but Sweden's main agricultural activity is animal husbandry. The most common farm-raised animals are cows, pigs, and sheep. Dairy products account for the majority of the country's farm receipts.

Tourism: Tourism in Sweden is focused on the natural beauty of the country's landscape. There are popular downhill ski resorts in Åre and Vemdalen. Many tourists visit the northern part of Sweden to take advantage of the cross-country ski tracks there.

Another popular attraction in northern Sweden is the village of Jukkasjärvi, near the town of Kiruna. Every winter, the village is the site of the ICEHOTEL, a hotel constructed entirely of ice.

Tourists can also arrange a home stay with a Sami family. The families are generally pleased to host visitors, and this is a fundamental part of Sami income. Visitors may also enjoy riding in sleighs pulled by reindeer.

Stockholm, famous for its parkland and open space, is another popular destination for tourists visiting Sweden. The Skansen open-air museum is located on the Djurgärden peninsula. Drottningholm Palace, on an island in Lake Mälaren, is open to tourists. The island has been home to the royal family since the sixteenth century, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Government

Despite the fact that the Kingdom of Sweden is a parliamentary monarchy, political power rests with the people. There is a royal family, but the King is a figurehead who acts as a moral leader and a representative of the nation rather than a political chief. The prime minister actually controls the government.

Sweden has a constitution that outlines its laws and the rights of the Swedes. There are four constitutional documents: the Instrument of Government, which explains the societal laws and constructs; the Act of Succession, which outlines the succession of the royal throne; and the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression, which guarantee freedom of speech and expression to all Swedes.

Sweden's parliament is called the Riksdag. Its 349 members are elected every four years from a variety of political parties. These parties include the Social Democrats, the Liberal Party, the Christian Democratic Party, and the Moderate Party. The age of suffrage is eighteen, and voter participation is generally very high.

Ulf Kristersson became prime minster following the September 2022 general election. He heads a coalition government between the Moderate Party, Christian Democrats and Liberals, with external support from the far-right Sweden Democrats.

Interesting Facts

• Swedish businessman Alfred Nobel instituted the Nobel Prize in the late nineteenth century. Nobel also patented dynamite in 1866.
• In 1844, Swedish chemist Gustav Pasch invented the safety match.
• The system for classifying organisms into kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species was devised by Swedish scientist Carolus Linnaeus.
• The first national parks in Europe were established in Sweden.
• In the 2016 Summer Olympics at Rio de Janeiro, Swedish swimmer Sarah Sjostrom won a gold medal in the 100-meter butterfly competition and set a new world record.
• Young Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who had begun a prominent movement calling for more direct action to combat climate change, was named Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2019.
• The first female prime minister of Sweden was elected in 2021.
• Swedish artist Loreen became the first woman to win the Eurovision Song Contest twice following her victories in 2012 and 2023.

Bibliography

Human Development Report. United Nations Development Programme, 13 Mar. 2024, hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2021-22pdf‗1.pdf. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

"Sweden." The World Bank, 2024, data.worldbank.org/country/sweden. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

"Sweden." The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 2 Jan 2025, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/sweden/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

"Sweden: Statistics." United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, data.unicef.org/country/swe/. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.

"The Swedish School System." Sweden, Swedish Institute, 8 Dec. 2022, sweden.se/society/education-in-sweden/. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.