Legend:
 Definition
 Field Listing
 Rank Order
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Background:
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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. Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public rejected the introduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum.
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Location:
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Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway
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Geographic coordinates:
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62 00 N, 15 00 E
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Map references:
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Europe
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Area:
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total: 449,964 sq km
land: 410,934 sq km
water: 39,030 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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slightly larger than California
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Land boundaries:
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total: 2,233 km
border countries: Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km
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Coastline:
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3,218 km
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Maritime claims:
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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
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Climate:
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temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north
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Terrain:
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mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.41 m
highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m
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Natural resources:
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iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower
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Land use:
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arable land: 5.93%
permanent crops: 0.01%
other: 94.06% (2005)
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Irrigated land:
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1,150 sq km (2003)
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Natural hazards:
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ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic
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Environment - current issues:
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acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea
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Environment - international agreements:
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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
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Geography - note:
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strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas
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Population:
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9,016,596 (July 2006 est.)
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 16.7% (male 775,433/female 732,773)
15-64 years: 65.7% (male 3,001,928/female 2,918,242)
65 years and over: 17.6% (male 689,756/female 898,464) (2006 est.)
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Median age:
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total: 40.9 years
male: 39.8 years
female: 42 years (2006 est.)
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Population growth rate:
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0.16% (2006 est.)
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Birth rate:
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10.27 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
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Death rate:
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10.31 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
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Net migration rate:
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1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 2.76 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 2.92 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 80.51 years
male: 78.29 years
female: 82.87 years (2006 est.)
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Total fertility rate:
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1.66 children born/woman (2006 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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0.1% (2001 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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3,600 (2001 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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less than 100 (2003 est.)
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Nationality:
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noun: Swede(s)
adjective: Swedish
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Ethnic groups:
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indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks
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Religions:
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Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13%
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Languages:
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Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden
conventional short form: Sweden
local long form: Konungariket Sverige
local short form: Sverige
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Government type:
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constitutional monarchy
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Capital:
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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
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Administrative divisions:
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21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarnas, Gavleborgs, Gotlands, Hallands, Jamtlands, Jonkopings, Kalmar, Kronobergs, Norrbottens, Orebro, Ostergotlands, Skane, Sodermanlands, Stockholms, Uppsala, Varmlands, Vasterbottens, Vasternorrlands, Vastmanlands, Vastra Gotalands
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Independence:
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6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)
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National holiday:
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National Day, 6 June
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Constitution:
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1 January 1975
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Legal system:
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civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal
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Executive branch:
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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)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the prime minister is elected by the parliament; election last held 17 September 2006 (next to be held in September 2010)
election results: Fredrik REINFELDT elected prime minister with 175 out of 349 votes
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Legislative branch:
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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 17 September 2006 (next to be held September 2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 37.2%, Moderates 27.8%, Center Party 8.3%, People's Party 8.0%, Christian Democrats 6.9%, Left Party 6.3%, Greens 5.4%; seats by party - Social Democrats 130, Moderates 97, Center Party 29, People's Party 28, Christian Democrats 24, Left Party 22, Greens 19
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by the prime minister and the cabinet)
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Political parties and leaders:
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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]; Moderate Party (conservative) [Fredrik REINFELDT]; People's Party [Lars LEIJONBORG]; Social Democratic Party [Goran PERSSON]
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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NA
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International organization participation:
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AfDB, Arctic Council, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 6, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Gunnar LUND
chancery: 902 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600
FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Michael M. WOOD
embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31, SE-11589 Stockholm
mailing address: pouch: 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
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Flag description:
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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)
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Economy - overview:
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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 1% of GDP and 2% of employment. 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 during 2004-06. 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 the economy and sovereignty.
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GDP (purchasing power parity):
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$285.1 billion (2006 est.)
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GDP (official exchange rate):
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$371.5 billion (2006 est.)
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GDP - real growth rate:
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4.2% (2006 est.)
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GDP - per capita (PPP):
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$31,600 (2006 est.)
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 1.1%
industry: 28.1%
services: 70.9% (2006 est.)
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Labor force:
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4.59 million (2006 est.)
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture: 2%
industry: 24%
services: 74% (2000 est.)
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Unemployment rate:
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5.6% (2006 est.)
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Population below poverty line:
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NA%
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: 3.7%
highest 10%: 20.1% (1992)
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Distribution of family income - Gini index:
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25 (2000)
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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1.4% (2006 est.)
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Investment (gross fixed):
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17.6% of GDP (2006 est.)
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Budget:
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revenues: $222 billion
expenditures: $210.5 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2006 est.)
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Public debt:
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46.4% of GDP (2006 est.)
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Agriculture - products:
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barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk
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Industries:
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iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles
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Industrial production growth rate:
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4.3% (2006 est.)
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Electricity - production:
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150.5 billion kWh (2004)
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Electricity - consumption:
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137.8 billion kWh (2004)
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Electricity - exports:
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17.8 billion kWh (2004)
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Electricity - imports:
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15.6 billion kWh (2004)
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Oil - production:
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3,208 bbl/day (2004 est.)
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Oil - consumption:
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362,400 bbl/day (2004 est.)
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Oil - exports:
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203,700 bbl/day (2001)
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Oil - imports:
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553,100 bbl/day (2001)
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Natural gas - production:
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0 cu m (2004 est.)
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Natural gas - consumption:
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979 million cu m (2004 est.)
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Natural gas - exports:
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0 cu m (2004 est.)
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Natural gas - imports:
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979 million cu m (2004 est.)
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Current account balance:
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$28.61 billion (2006 est.)
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Exports:
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$173.9 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
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Exports - commodities:
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machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals
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Exports - partners:
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US 10.6%, Germany 10.2%, Norway 8.7%, UK 7.3%, Denmark 6.5%, Finland 5.7%, France 4.9%, Netherlands 4.5%, Belgium 4.3% (2005)
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Imports:
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$151.8 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
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Imports - commodities:
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machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing
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Imports - partners:
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Germany 17.6%, Denmark 8.9%, Norway 7.8%, UK 6.6%, Netherlands 6.2%, Finland 5.8%, France 5% (2005)
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Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
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$22.26 billion (August 2006 est.)
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Debt - external:
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$598.2 billion (30 June 2006)
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Economic aid - donor:
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ODA, $1.7 billion (1997)
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Currency (code):
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Swedish krona (SEK)
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Exchange rates:
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Swedish kronor per US dollar - 7.3731 (2006), 7.4731 (2005), 7.3489 (2004), 8.0863 (2003), 9.7371 (2002)
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Fiscal year:
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calendar year
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Airports:
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255 (2006)
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 155
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 13
1,524 to 2,437 m: 80
914 to 1,523 m: 23
under 914 m: 36 (2006)
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 100
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 91 (2006)
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Heliports:
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2 (2006)
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Pipelines:
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gas 798 km (2006)
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Railways:
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total: 11,481 km
standard gauge: 11,481 km 1.435-m gauge (9,400 km electrified) (2005)
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Roadways:
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total: 424,947 km
paved: 129,651 km (including 1,591 km of expressways)
unpaved: 295,296 km (2004)
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Waterways:
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2,052 km (2005)
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Merchant marine:
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total: 198 ships (1000 GRT or over) 3,703,834 GRT/2,382,754 DWT
by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 28, chemical tanker 47, container 5, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 36, petroleum tanker 15, roll on/roll off 31, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 21
foreign-owned: 37 (Belgium 2, Denmark 4, Finland 11, Germany 3, Italy 7, Japan 2, Norway 7, US 1)
registered in other countries: 161 (Bahamas 6, Bermuda 14, Cayman Islands 9, Cook Islands 3, Cyprus 3, Denmark 1, France 2, French Southern and Antarctic Lands 9, Gibraltar 5, Isle of Man 1, Liberia 8, Malta 3, Netherlands 26, Netherlands Antilles 5, Norway 28, Panama 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Singapore 12, UK 15, US 5) (2006)
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Ports and terminals:
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Goteborg, Helsingborg, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Oxelosund, Stenungsund, Stockholm, Trelleborg
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Military branches:
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Swedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army (Armen), Royal Swedish Navy (Marinen), Swedish Air Force (Svenska Flygvapnet) (2006)
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Military service age and obligation:
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19 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 7-17 months depending on conscript role; after completing initial service, soldiers have a reserve commitment until age of 47 (2004)
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Manpower available for military service:
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males age 19-49: 1,838,427
females age 19-49: 1,774,659 (2005 est.)
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Manpower fit for military service:
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males age 19-49: 1,493,668
females age 19-49: 1,441,257 (2005 est.)
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Manpower reaching military service age annually:
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males age 18-49: 58,724
females age 19-49: 55,954 (2005 est.)
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Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
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1.5% (2006 est.)
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Disputes - international:
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none
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This page was last updated on 15 March, 2007
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