African providers; state-owned radio network with 3 channels; 1
private radio station (2007)
Internet country code:
.sz
Internet hosts:
2,335 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 152
Internet users:
90,100 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 162
Transportation ::Swaziland
Airports:
15 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 146
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 7 (2010)
Railways:
total: 301 km
country comparison to the world: 121
narrow gauge: 301 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 3,594 km
country comparison to the world: 160
paved: 1,078 km
unpaved: 2,516 km (2002)
Military ::Swaziland
Military branches:
Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (USDF): Ground Force (includes Air
Wing) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-30 years of age for male and female voluntary military service;
no conscription; only HIV-negative applicants accepted; compulsory
HIV testing required (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 336,436 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 196,633
females age 16-49: 172,602 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 16,024
female: 15,630 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
4.7% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 18
Transnational Issues ::Swaziland
Disputes - international:
in 2006, Swazi king advocates resort to ICJ to claim parts of
Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal from South Africa
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Swaziland is a source, destination, and transit
country for women and children trafficked internally and
transnationally for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation,
domestic servitude, and forced labor in agriculture; Swazi girls,
particularly orphans, are trafficked internally for commercial
sexual exploitation and domestic servitude, as well as to South
Africa and Mozambique; Swazi boys are trafficked for forced labor in
commercial agriculture and market vending; some Swazi women are
forced into prostitution in South Africa and Mozambique after
voluntarily migrating to these countries in search of work
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - the government of Swaziland does
not comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of
trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the
government believes that trafficking probably does occur, but does
not know the extent of the problem; the government does not judge
trafficking to be an "important" problem and chooses to direct its
limited resources towards other issues, a judgment which
significantly limited the government's current efforts to eliminate
human trafficking, or to plan anti-trafficking activities or
initiatives for the future (2010)
page last updated on January 19, 2011
======================================================================
@Sweden (Europe)
Introduction ::Sweden
Background:
A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not
participated in any war for 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 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.
Geography ::Sweden
Location:
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia,
Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway
Geographic coordinates:
62 00 N, 15 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 450,295 sq km
country comparison to the world: 55
land: 410,335 sq km
water: 39,960 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 2,233 km
border countries: Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km
Coastline:
3,218 km
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
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
-2.4 m
highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m
Natural resources:
iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium,
arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 5.93%
permanent crops: 0.01%
other: 94.06% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,150 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
179 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.68 cu km/yr (37%/54%/9%)
per capita: 296 cu m/yr (2002)
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
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
Geography - note:
strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas
People ::Sweden
Population:
9,074,055 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.7% (male 733,597/female 692,194)
15-64 years: 65.5% (male 3,003,358/female 2,927,038)
65 years and over: 18.8% (male 753,293/female 950,171) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 41.7 years
male: 40.6 years
female: 42.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.16% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Birth rate:
10.14 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Death rate:
10.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Net migration rate:
1.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Urbanization:
urban population: 85% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.061 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 2.74 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 220
male: 2.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.97 years
country comparison to the world: 14
male: 78.69 years
female: 83.4 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.67 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
6,200 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Nationality:
noun: Swede(s)
adjective: Swedish
Ethnic groups:
indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities;
foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs,
Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks
Religions:
Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist,
Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13%
Languages:
Swedish (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
6.7% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 28
Government ::Sweden
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden
conventional short form: Sweden
local long form: Konungariket Sverige
local short form: Sverige
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
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
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
Independence:
6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)
National holiday:
Swedish Flag Day, 6 June (1916); National Day, 6 June (1983)
Constitution:
1 January 1975
Legal system:
civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
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 Fredrik REINFELDT (since 5
October 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Jan BJORKLUND (since 5 October
2010)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative
elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the
majority coalition usually becomes the prime minister
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 on 19 September 2010 (next to be held in
September 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 30.7%,
Moderates 30.1%, Greens 7.3%, Liberal People's Party 7.1%, Center
Party 6.6%, Sweden Democrats 5.7%, Christian Democrats 5.6%, Left
Party 5.6%; seats by party - Social Democrats 112, Moderates 107,
Greens 25, Liberal People's Party 24, Center Party 23, Sweden
Democrats 20, Christian Democrats 19, Left Party 19
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by the prime
minister and the cabinet)
Political parties and leaders:
Center Party [Maud OLOFSSON]; Christian Democratic Party [Goran
HAGGLUND]; Environment Party the Greens [no formal leader but party
spokespersons are Maria WETTERSTRAND and Peter ERIKSSON]; Left Party
or V (formerly Communist) [Lars OHLY]; Liberal People's Party [Jan
BJORKLUND]; Moderate Party [Fredrik REINFELDT]; Social Democratic
Party [Mona SAHLIN]; Sweden Democrats [Jimmie AKESSON]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Children's Rights in Society; Swedish Confederation of Professional
Employees or TCO; Swedish Federation of Trade Unions or LO
other: media
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council,
Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO,
FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,
ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS
(observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen
Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNRWA,
UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jonas HAFSTROM
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
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Matthew W. BARZUN
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
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
National anthem:
name: "Du Gamla, Du Fria" (Thou Ancient, Thou Free)
lyrics/music: Richard DYBECK/traditional
note: in use since 1844; the anthem, 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
Economy ::Sweden
Economy - overview:
Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole of the 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. In September 2003,
Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system concerned
about the impact on the economy and sovereignty. 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
little more than 1% of GDP and of employment. Until 2008, Sweden was
in the midst of a sustained economic upswing, boosted by increased
domestic demand and strong exports. This and robust finances offered
the center-right government considerable scope to implement its
reform program aimed at increasing employment, reducing welfare
dependence, and streamlining the state's role in the economy.
Despite strong finances and underlying fundamentals, the Swedish
economy slid into recession in the third quarter of 2008 and growth
continued downward in 2009 as deteriorating global conditions
reduced export demand and consumption. Strong exports of commodities
and a return to profitability by Sweden's banking sector drove the
strong rebound in 2010.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$354 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
$340.1 billion (2009 est.)
$358.4 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$444.6 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
-5.1% (2009 est.)
-0.6% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$39,000 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
$37,500 (2009 est.)
$39,600 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.7%
industry: 26.1%
services: 72.2% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
4.93 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 1.1%
industry: 28.2%
services: 70.7% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
8.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
8.3% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 22.2% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
23 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 134
25 (1992)
Investment (gross fixed):
18.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Public debt:
40.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
41.6% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
-0.3% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
2% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 111
3.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2009 est.)
NA% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$225 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 17
$205.2 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$293.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
$260.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$640.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
$583.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$432.3 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 22
$252.5 billion (31 December 2008)
$612.5 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk
Industries:
iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone
parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods,
motor vehicles
Industrial production growth rate:
8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Electricity - production:
144 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Electricity - consumption:
134.5 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Electricity - exports:
14.71 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
12.75 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
4,833 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Oil - consumption:
328,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Oil - exports:
248,500 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Oil - imports:
589,900 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Natural gas - consumption:
1.229 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Natural gas - imports:
1.229 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Current account balance:
$21.68 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
$30.23 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$162.6 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
$133.3 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron
and steel products, chemicals
Exports - partners:
Norway 10.61%, Germany 10.2%, UK 7.45%, Denmark 7.35%, Finland
6.44%, US 6.36%, France 5.05%, Netherlands 4.67% (2009)
Imports:
$158.6 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
$120.5 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor
vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing
Imports - partners:
Germany 17.9%, Denmark 8.9%, Norway 8.7%, Netherlands 6.17%, UK
5.56%, Finland 5.14%, France 5.06%, China 4.79% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$NA (31 December 2010 est.)
$47.29 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$853.3 billion (30 June 2010)
country comparison to the world: 16
$617.3 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$321.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
$304.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$383.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
$367.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Swedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar - 7.5077 (2010), 7.6529 (2009),
6.4074 (2008), 6.7629 (2007), 7.3731 (2006)
Communications ::Sweden
Telephones - main lines in use:
5.146 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 31
Telephones - mobile cellular:
11.426 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 60
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)
Broadcast media:
publicly-owned television broadcaster operates 2 terrestrial
networks plus regional stations; multiple privately-owned television
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 systems;
publicly-owned radio broadcaster operates 3 national stations and a
network of 25 regional channels; nearly a hundred 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 hosts:
4.396 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 20
Internet users:
8.398 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 33
Transportation ::Sweden
Airports:
249 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 26
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 152
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 76
914 to 1,523 m: 25
under 914 m: 36 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 97
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 92 (2010)
Heliports:
2 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 786 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 11,633 km
country comparison to the world: 20
standard gauge: 11,568 km 1.435-m gauge (7,531 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 65 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 572,900 km (includes 1,855 km of expressways)
country comparison to the world: 12
note: (includes 98,400 km of state roads, 433,500 km of private
roads, and 41,000 km of muncipal roads; 215,700 km of these are open
to public traffic) (2009)
Waterways:
2,052 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 43
Merchant marine:
total: 163
country comparison to the world: 39
by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 20, carrier 1, chemical tanker 31,
passenger 5, passenger/cargo 37, petroleum tanker 12, roll on/roll
off 32, vehicle carrier 21
foreign-owned: 46 (Denmark 15, Estonia 3, Finland 16, Germany 3,
Ireland 1, Italy 5, Norway 3)
registered in other countries: 194 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Bahamas
6, Barbados 6, Bermuda 17, Cook Islands 3, Cyprus 5, Denmark 16,
Faroe Islands 5, France 6, Germany 1, Gibraltar 12, Isle of Man 1,
Italy 1, Liberia 10, Malta 3, Netherlands 18, former Netherlands
Antilles 1, Norway 33, Panama 1, Portugal 6, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines 2, Singapore 9, UK 25, US 5, unknown 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Brofjorden, Goteborg, Helsingborg, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo,
Stockholm, Trelleborg, Visby
Military ::Sweden
Military branches:
Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal Swedish
Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2010)
Military service age and obligation: