Sweden is a country located in Northern Europe, bordering Norway to the west and Finland to the east. It has a population of around 10.5 million people and covers an area of 450,295 square kilometers. The capital and largest city is Stockholm.

Sweden is known for its social welfare system, high standard of living, and its emphasis on environmental sustainability. The country has a mixed economy that relies heavily on exports, particularly in the fields of engineering, telecommunications, and pharmaceuticals. Some of the most well-known Swedish companies include IKEA, H&M, Volvo, and Ericsson.

The Swedish political system is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with King Carl XVI Gustaf serving as the head of state. The country is divided into 21 counties and 290 municipalities.

Sweden is also known for its natural beauty, with vast forests, lakes, and mountains providing opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and fishing. The country has a rich cultural history, with contributions to the fields of literature, music, art, and design. Some of the most famous Swedish cultural exports include the novels of Stieg Larsson, the music of ABBA, and the designs of IKEA.

Sweden is a member of the European Union, but has opted not to adopt the euro as its currency. The country also maintains a policy of military neutrality, and has not been involved in a war since 1814.

Telephone Code
46

Local Emergency Phone
112

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

Climate
Temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north

Currency (Code)
Swedish kronor (SEK)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F

Major Languages
Swedish; note: Finnish, Sami, Romani, Yiddish, and Meankieli are official minority languages

Major Religions
Church of Sweden (Lutheran) 60.2%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 8.5%

Potable Water
Yes

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Stockholm (includes Vasa Museum, Skansen, Djurgarden, Gamla Stan, Drottningholm); Stockholm Archipelago; Birka & Hovgarden; Tanum petroglyphs; Malmo

Major Sports
Soccer, ice hockey, handball, floorball (a type of floor hockey), golf

Cultural Practices
Finish everything on your plate as it is considered rude to leave any food uneaten.

Tipping Guidelines
A service charge is frequently included at restaurants; If not, a 5-10% tip is appropriate. Leave small change at bars for a gratuity. Porters, bellhops, and housekeeping expect 5-10 kronor as a tip. Round up taxi fares.

Souvenirs
Dala horse wooden toys, Sami handicrafts, glasswork items, hand-knitted Nordic sweaters, schnapps spirits

Traditional Cuisine
Köttbullar (Swedish Meatballs) — beef mixed with pork or veal seasoned with onions, salt, pepper, and allspice and shaped into small round balls for browning in butter; typically served with lingonberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and gravy on the side

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
10,536,338 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Swedish 80.3%, Syrian 1.9%, Iraqi 1.4%, Finnish 1.4%, other 15%

(2020 est.)

Languages
Swedish (official)

Religions
Church of Sweden (Lutheran) 57.6%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 8.9%, none or unspecified 33.5% (2019 est.)

Population growth rate
0.51% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Capital
name: Stockholm

Economy
Economic overview
small, open, competitive, and thriving economy that remains outside of the euro zone; has achieved an enviable standard of living, with its combination of free-market capitalism and extensive welfare benefits

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$558.427 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$53,600 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
wheat, milk, sugar beets, barley, potatoes, oats, rapeseed, pork, rye, triticale

Industries
iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles

Exports
$290.793 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Germany 10%, Norway 9%, United States 8%, Denmark 7%, Finland 6%, United Kingdom 5%, Netherlands 5%, China 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
cars and vehicle parts, packaged medicines, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, lumber (2019)

Imports
$263.269 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
Germany 18%, Netherlands 9%, Denmark 7%, Norway 7%, China 6%, Finland 5%, Belgium 5%, Poland 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
cars and vehicle parts, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, computers (2019)