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 and in 2000-02 by the global economic downturn, but fiscal discipline over the past several years has allowed the country to weather economic vagaries. 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.
Country profile: Sweden
Sweden's position as one of the world's most highly developed post-industrial societies looks fundamentally secure. Unemployment is low and the economy strong. Public-private partnership is at the core of "the Swedish model", which was developed by the Social Democrats, who governed for most of the last 70 years until 2006.
This mixed economy traditionally featured centralised wage negotiations and a heavily tax-subsidised social security network. The Swedes still enjoy an advanced welfare system, and their standard of living and life expectancy are almost second to none.
The country is also a common destination for refugees and asylum seekers - immigrants make up more than 10% of its population.
Swedes voted in a referendum in 1980 to phase out nuclear power. It was nearly two decades before the first reactor was shut down in 1999. Another followed in 2005. A further 10 remain to be decommissioned.
Sweden is known throughout the world for its neutrality. This policy has led to a number of Swedish politicians taking on international roles, often mediating between conflicting groups or ideologies. With the ending of the Cold War, Sweden felt able to join the European Union in 1995 although it still declines to become a Nato member.
Sweden was one of three EU countries not to join the single European currency. In the first referendum on membership after the euro's introduction in 12 of 15 EU countries, Swedish voters rejected it by a clear majority in September 2003.
- Full name: Kingdom of Sweden
- Population: 9 million (via UN, 2006)
- Capital: Stockholm
- Area: 449,964 sq km (173,732 sq miles)
- Major language: Swedish
- Major religion: Christianity
- Life expectancy: 78 years (men), 83 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 Swedish krona = 100 ore
- Main exports: Machinery and transport equipment, paper products, chemicals
- GNI per capita: US $41,060 (World Bank, 2006)
- Internet domain: .se
- International dialling code: +46
King: Carl XVI Gustaf
Prime minister: Fredrik Reinfeldt
Fredrik Reinfeldt's win ended a decade of Social Democrat rule Profile: Fredrik Reinfeldt
The Alliance for Sweden, a centre-right coalition headed by Moderate Party leader Fredrik Reinfeldt, unseated the Social Democrat Party of Goran Persson in elections in September 2006.
Mr Persson was one of Europe's longest-serving leaders, having spent 10 years in the job. The Social Democrats governed Sweden for much of the period since World War II.
The Alliance for Sweden has a slim seven-seat majority in the 349-seat parliament. It campaigned on a platform of streamlining the welfare state and cutting taxes, in order to create jobs.
Since becoming party leader in 2003 Mr Reinfeldt has moved the Moderates towards the political centre. He forged a four-party alliance with the Christian Democrats, the Liberals and the Centre Party. He supports Sweden's entry into Nato, provided there is cross-party support.
Born in 1965, Fredrik Reinfeldt joined his party's youth wing in 1991. He is married and has three children.
Swedish audiences enjoy a wide variety of public and commercial broadcast services, though until relatively recently public TV and radio, funded by a licence fee, had a near-monopoly of the airwaves.
Public television is run by Sveriges Television (SVT). Its main competitor is TV4, a commercial station which launched in 1992. The country is home to the regional media giants Bonnier and the Modern Times Group (MTG).
Most households have cable or satellite TV and can choose from among dozens of channels. Digital terrestrial broadcasting was launched by SVT in 1999; pay-TV channels are also broadcast in the format. The government aims to complete the switch to digital TV broadcasting by 2008.
Public radio is run by Sveriges Radio. Commercial radio began in 1993, and there are nearly 100 stations. Some of them have consolidated into near-national networks.
Most Swedish households take a daily newspaper and the country is among the top consumers of newspapers in the world. Many titles have a regional readership. The government subsidises newspapers regardless of their political affiliation.
The press
Television
Radio
News agency
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. 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 of 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, declining revenue, and increased spending. The Swedish central bank (the Riksbank) focuses on price stability with its inflation target of 2%. Growth remained sluggish in 2003, but picked up in 2004 and 2005. Presumably because of generous sick-leave benefits, Swedish workers report in sick more often than other Europeans. In September 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system, concerned about the impact on democracy and sovereignty.
Swedish natural resources include iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower
strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas
Swedish religion is Lutheran 87%, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist.
Natural hazards in Sweden include ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic.
Travel Advice on Sweden
SUMMARY
- Sweden shares with the rest of the Europe a threat from international terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets.
- Sweden can be affected by severe cold in the winter months, particularly in the North. You should be prepared for harsh conditions and if driving in the winter months cars should be winterised.
- Over half a million British nationals visit Sweden each year. Most visits to Sweden are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance is for replacing lost or stolen passports, help in contacting family members for additional funds, and the occasional arrest.
- You should check carefully on bona fides of anyone offering employment opportunities involving asphalting or seasonal work, and should contact the British Embassy in Stockholm for further advice.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see: Travel Insurance.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Sweden is generally a risk free country to visit. Petty crime occurs, but at much lower levels than in most European countries. Pickpocketing is rife in the summer months in the major cities when tourists are heavily targeted for their passports and cash.
Local Travel
Travelling within Sweden is easy. Although you may need to cover large distances (especially in Northern Sweden), the country's road and rail networks are efficient and extensive. Sweden's comfortable, modern trains are designed to deal with all kinds of weather.
Road/Rail Safety
If you are travelling by car you should note that driving conditions during the winter months of November to March can be extremely treacherous due to snow and ice.
From 1 December - 31 March (irrespective of weather conditions) Swedish registered cars are required by law to have either studded tyres or unstudded friction tyres bearing the following mark, M+S, M-s, M.S, M&S, MS or Mud and Snow.
Although foreign registered cars are exempt from this requirement, it would still be advisable to have winter tyres fitted.
For rail travel see www.sj.se/sj/jsp/polopoly.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
You should be in possession of a valid passport. There is no minimum validity required but you should ensure that your passport is valid for your return journey. The Embassy in Stockholm has a full passport issuing service, which operates on a 10-day service.
If you are travelling with children other than your own you should be in possession of a letter of consent from the child’s parent/guardian. For further advice on requirements, please contact: Swedish Representation in the UK.
If you lose your passport in Sweden, you should contact the British Embassy in Stockholm (contact details below).
HEALTH
The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Swedish nationals. You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. Fore more information on how to obtain the EHIC please see: Europe and the EHIC
You should be aware of the risk of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in coastal areas, especially the Stockholm Archipelago. Advice on TBE, and inoculations, are generally available in the UK.
If you are visiting remote areas, you should consider the relative inaccessibility of the emergency services. The telephone number for emergencies in Sweden is 112.
You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on health, check the Department of Health website at: www.dh.gov.uk.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
The Swedish authorities have confirmed that there have been outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in ducks and wild birds at various locations in Sweden. No domestic birds have been identified as having the virus. No human infections or deaths have been reported.
The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poulty and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.
You should read this advice in conjunction with the Avian and Pandemic Influenza Factsheet, which gives more detailed advice and information.
GENERAL
EU Aviation Regulations
The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in Sweden. For more details about this please see: DfT - Airline Security Update
Remember the currency for Sweden is Swedish Krona and not the Euro.
Sweden, and in particular the north of the country, does get affected by severe cold weather during the winter months. Temperatures can be extremely low, and if you visit in winter you should be prepared for these harsh conditions.
European Union
Information on the EU can be found at: Travelling and Living in the EU (pdf) and Britain in the EU.
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