Country Profile: Sweden

Sweden is a North European nation characterized by its extensive coastline along the Baltic Sea and numerous lakes, covering a total area of 450,295 square kilometers. The country is home to a population of over 10.6 million people, primarily residing in urban areas, particularly the capital, Stockholm. Sweden boasts a strong, export-oriented economy, supported by a robust welfare system, with key industries including automotive, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. Governed as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, Sweden has maintained a policy of military non-alignment for over two centuries, recently applying for NATO membership in 2022.

Geography

Sweden is located in Northern Europe, bordered by the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Bothnia, with land borders to Finland and Norway. The geography is marked by mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands, with mountainous terrain in the west. The nation features a temperate climate in the south, transitioning to subarctic conditions in the north, which influences settlement patterns and land use.

450,295 sq km: Total area.
3,218 km: Coastline along various bodies of water.
68.6%: Forested land, indicating extensive natural resources.

People and Society

With an estimated population of 10,643,745 in 2025, Sweden is diverse, with approximately 20% of its residents born abroad. The official language is Swedish, and the country has a significant presence of minority languages including Finnish and Sami. The major religion is Lutheranism, with a substantial proportion of the population identifying as non-religious.

41.2 years: Median age of the population (2025).
88.7%: Urban population, highlighting a trend toward urbanization.
2.2 deaths/1,000 live births: Infant mortality rate (2025).

Economy

Sweden is recognized as a high-income country and the largest economy in the Nordic region, characterized by a strong export sector in industries such as automotive and pharmaceuticals. Despite not adopting the euro, Sweden has a well-integrated economy within the EU framework. The country has experienced fluctuating GDP growth rates, with recent challenges influencing inflation and trade relationships.

$668.628 billion: Real GDP (PPP, 2024).
8.6%: Unemployment rate (2024 est.).
55.4%: Share of exports in GDP (2023 est.).

Government

Sweden operates under a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with the King as the ceremonial head of state and a Prime Minister serving as the head of government. The country has a unicameral parliament, known as the Riksdag, comprising 349 members. Swedish citizens enjoy universal suffrage at the age of 18.

6 June 1523: Marks Sweden's independence from the Kalmar Union.
45%: Proportion of women in the parliament (Riksdag).
2.5%: Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP (2025 est.).

Military and Security

The Swedish Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, operating under a policy of military non-alignment until recently. Sweden has developed a modern defense strategy with investments aimed at bolstering its military capabilities.

2.5%: Projected military expenditures as a percentage of GDP in 2025.
600: Number of military personnel deployed in Latvia (2025).
25,000: Active military personnel as of 2025.

Energy

Sweden's energy sector is notable for its reliance on renewable sources, particularly hydropower and nuclear energy. The country has achieved 100% electricity access for its population, reflecting strong infrastructure.

55.307 million kW: Installed electricity generation capacity (2023).
40.2%: Share of hydroelectric power in total electricity capacity (2023).
28.6%: Contribution of nuclear energy to electricity production (2023).

Environment

Sweden is actively engaged in addressing environmental issues such as marine pollution and acid rain. The country is a signatory to numerous international environmental agreements and works towards sustainable practices, particularly in waste management and conservation.

174 billion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022 est.).
39.7%: Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.).
43.96 million metric tonnes: CO2 emissions (2023 est.).

Transportation

Sweden boasts a comprehensive transportation network, including extensive railways and ports facilitating both domestic and international trade. The country is also focused on modernizing its civil aviation infrastructure.

206: Number of airports (2025).
10,910 km: Total railway length (2020).
92: Total ports along its coastline (2024).

Communications

Sweden has a highly developed communications infrastructure with a high percentage of internet users and mobile phone subscriptions. The availability of diverse media channels contributes to an informed society.

96%: Internet penetration rate (2023).
4.3 million: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
14.9 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	10,643,745 (2025 est.)	Projected total population
Area	450,295 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$668.628 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	8.6% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force seeking employment
Birth Rate	10.56 births/1,000	Projected for 2025
Life Expectancy	82.9 years (2024 est.)	Average life expectancy at birth
Electricity Access	100%	Percentage of population with electricity access
Urbanization Rate	88.7%	Proportion of urban population (2023)
Military Personnel	25,000	Active military personnel in 2025
CO2 Emissions	43.96 million metric tons	Total emissions in 2023