Country Profile: Sweden

Sweden is a Nordic country located in Northern Europe, bordered by Finland to the east and Norway to the west, with extensive coastlines along the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Bothnia. The nation has a population of approximately 10.6 million, with a significant portion being foreign-born, reflecting its multicultural society. Sweden boasts a high-income economy characterized by a blend of capitalism and substantial welfare elements, excelling in areas such as automotive, electronics, and pharmaceuticals. Governed as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, it has a long-standing tradition of political stability and governance.

Geography

Sweden's expansive area of 450,295 sq km includes both land and numerous lakes, notably the largest, Vänern. The terrain is predominantly flat or gently rolling, with mountainous regions in the west. The climate varies from temperate in the south to subarctic in the north. This strategic location connects the Baltic Sea with the North Sea through various waterways.

3,218 km of coastline.
2,211 km of land borders with Finland and Norway.
Home to nearly 100,000 lakes, with Vänern as the third-largest in Europe.

People and Society

The population of Sweden is estimated at 10,643,745 as of 2025, with a diverse ethnic composition that includes 79.6% Swedish, as well as notable Syrian and Iraqi communities. The official language is Swedish, while minority languages include Finnish and Sami. The society is marked by a high urbanization rate, with 88.7% living in urban areas.

41.2 years median age of the population (2025).
10.56 births per 1,000 population birth rate (2025).
82.9 years life expectancy at birth (2024).

Economy

Sweden stands as the largest economy in the Nordic region, with a high-income status and a competitive export-oriented market. The GDP (PPP) is projected at $668.628 billion for 2024. The economy is primarily driven by services (65.9%) and industrial sectors (22.6%), while agriculture accounts for about 1.1%.

Unemployment rate at 8.6% (2024).
Real GDP per capita estimated at $63,300 (2024).
Exports valued at $338.852 billion (2024).

Government

Sweden operates under a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with King Carl XVI Gustaf as the head of state and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson as the head of government. The country has a unicameral legislature comprising 349 members elected through proportional representation.

Suffrage is granted to citizens aged 18 and older.
The last election was held on September 11, 2022; the next is anticipated in September 2026.
The constitution consists of four fundamental laws.

Military and Security

With military expenditures expected to rise to 2.5% of GDP by 2025, Sweden's Armed Forces comprise the Army, Navy, and Air Force, alongside the Home Guard. The nation has shifted from a long-standing policy of military non-alignment to joining NATO in March 2024.

Approximately 25,000 active military personnel (2025).
Military deployments include around 600 personnel in Latvia (2025).
The country is enhancing its military capabilities amid regional security concerns.

Energy

Sweden is a leader in renewable energy, with 100% electrification across its population. The energy sector emphasizes sustainability, with a mix of nuclear, hydropower, and wind energy sources. Total energy consumption per capita reached 142.102 million BTUs in 2023.

28.6% of electricity generated from nuclear sources (2023).
Hydroelectricity accounts for 40.2% of total installed capacity (2023).
55.307 million kW of total installed electricity generation capacity (2023).

Environment

Sweden faces environmental challenges, including marine pollution and acid rain, while actively participating in numerous international environmental agreements. The country has committed to reducing its carbon footprint and enhancing biodiversity.

39.7% of municipal solid waste recycled (2022).
43.96 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions (2023).
68.6% of land covered by forests (2023).

Transportation

Sweden boasts a robust transportation network, including 10,910 km of railways and 206 airports, facilitating both domestic and international travel. The merchant marine fleet consists of 361 vessels, underscoring the country's strong maritime capabilities.

92 total ports, including 3 large and 10 medium.
The country has 4.3 million fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
Railways feature 8,184 km electrified tracks.

Communications

The communications infrastructure in Sweden is highly developed, with a significant portion of the population having access to modern telecommunication services. Nearly 96% of the population are internet users, and mobile subscription rates are also very high.

14.9 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
898,000 fixed line subscriptions (2023).
41 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	10,643,745 (2025 est.)
Area	450,295 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$668.628 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	8.6% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	10.56 births/1,000 population (2025)
Life Expectancy	82.9 years (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	142.102 million BTU/person (2023 est.)
CO2 Emissions	43.96 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Urban Population	88.7% of total population (2023)
Forest Coverage	68.6% of land (2023)