Smith, T. (2001). "Basic Statistics on Sweden." S. Hamilton, MA: Center for Youth Studies.

 

OVERVIEW

BASIC STATISTICS

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• Total population: 8,875,053 (Ranked 82^nd in the world by the US Census Bureau).National GDP: $175 billion.GDP per capital: $19,700.Median Age: 39.7 years.Infant Mortality: 3.9 per 1,000 live births.

GEOGRAPHY

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• Location: Northern Europe on the Scandinavian Peninsula.Borders: Norway, Finland, and across the Kattegat, Denmark.Area: 173,732 square miles.Capital: Stockholm.Major cities and population: Stockholm, 1,583,000 and Gotëborg, 766,000.Topography: One quarter of Sweden is mountainous along its northwest border. The central and southern areas are predominately flatlands or rolling hills and include several large fresh water lakes.Divided into 25 counties: Stockholm, Uppsala, Södermanland, Östergötland, Jönköping, Kronoberg, Kalmar, Gotland, Blekinge, Skåne, Kristianstad, Malmöhus, Halland , Göteborg and Bohus, Älvsborg, Skaraborg, Värmland, Örebro, Västmanland, Kopparberg, Gävleborg, Västernorrland, Jämtland, Västerbotten, and Norrbotten.

DEMOGRAPHY

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• Children 0-14: 18.2%—1,614,661.Teenage 10-19: 12.5%—1,106,387.Youth between 15-24: 11.5%—1,024,578.Seniors Over 70: 13%—1,154,878.Male to female ratio: 97.9 per 100 females.Birth rate: 10.01 per 1000 people.Life expectancy at birth: 76.7 for males and 82.22 for females.Infant mortality rate: 3.9 per 1000 live births.Official Language: Swedish.Ethnic Groups: 89% Swedish and 2% Finnish.Religious affiliation: 94% Lutheran.Religious group representation: 67.9% Christian (6,051,805), 17.5% Nonreligious (1,562,389), 11.9% Atheist (1,058,973), 2.3% Muslim (201,526). Less than 1% of the following: Jew, Baha’i, Buddhist, Hindu, and other..Education: Compulsory from ages 6-15.Literacy rate: 100%

ECONOMY

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• Currency: Krona.GDP per capita: $19,700.National GDP: $175 billion.Major Industries: Steel, precision equipment, vehicles, processed foods, paper.Chief crops: Grains, potatoes, sugar, beets.Electricity production: 156.772 bil kWh.TV Sets: 531 per 1000 people.Radios: 904 per 1000 people.Telephones: 5,889,000 main lines.Daily newspaper circulation: 484 per 1000 people.

POLITICS

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• Government type: Constitutional Monarchy.Head of state: King Carl XVI Gustaf.Head of government: Prime Minister Goran Persson.International organization memberships: United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).Historical Background: During the Roman Empire, the Scandinavian Peninsula was settled by two Germanic tribes, the Suiones (Swedes) and the Gothones (Goths), who, though they were united by religious beliefs, were usually at war with one another. We know little about Swedish history prior to the 10^th century. In the 9^th century, Frankish missionaries began spreading Christianity, which eventually became associated with Sweden. The Swedes gained independence from Danish kings around 1397, and in 1435 established the first parliament in Europe, the Riksdag. Prior to the Napoleonic wars, Sweden was a major European power, incorporating much of the Baltic Sea coast. These wars were the last to have Sweden’s participation; during both world wars Sweden maintained a position of armed neutrality. In more recent times, Sweden’s leadership has been dominated by Socialist Democrats who have wrestled with non-Socialist for control.

TRENDS AND SOCIAL ISSUES

Understanding the trends and social issues of a particular country should always take into consideration the opinions of persons within the country. The Center for Youth Studies is looking for contributors from each country to add to our appreciation and understanding of its culture, potential, trends and critical issues. If you have insight as to what is important to Swedes, please contact us.

We look forward to hearing the insights on what insiders consider the most important issues facing them. From an outsider’s perspective, current issues would include the role of Sweden in the European Union, the establishment of political power, and the diverse party system including Socialist Democrats, the Green Party, the Left and Conservatives. What are the most important issues for Swedes today? This will be added as we receive this information.

SOURCES

 

TEXT

 

Barrett, D., Kurian, G., & Johnson, T. (2001). World Christian Encyclopedia 2^nd Edition: A Comparative Survey of Churches and Religions in the Modern World. Oxford: University Press.

 

Turner, B. (2000). The World Today: Essential Facts in an Ever Changing World 2000. New York, NY: St. Marten’s Press.

 

McGeveran, Jr., W. (Ed.). (2001). The World Almanac and Book of Facts. Mahwah, NJ: World Almanac Books.

 

WEB

"Sweden," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001

© 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Swedish Websites: Statistics Sweden

(Statistiska centralbyrån)

US Census Bureau, International Database

United Nation Statistics Division

 

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

• How important do you see Sweden’s role in Europe and in the world?
• What most impresses you about the above information?
• Do you take issue with any of the above? If so, how would you express it differently?
• What strikes you most about the population of Sweden and the birthrate? Why?
• What do you see as the historical and cultural contributions of Sweden to the world?
• How has Sweden handled its part in the European Union?
• What can we learn from Sweden and the Swedish people?

Tammy Smith cCYS

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