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clean up, typos fixed: May 5, 2011 → May 5, 2011, (2), 1997-98 → 1997–98 (2)
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|chancellor =
 
|chancellor =
 
|chancellor-raw =
 
|chancellor-raw =
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|pm         =Stefan Löfven
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|pm         =Ulf Kristersson
 
|pm-raw         =
 
|pm-raw         =
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|conservative-leader =Jimmie Akesson
 
|area         =173,732 sq mi
 
|area         =173,732 sq mi
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|pop         =9,880,604 (2016)
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|pop         =10,100,000 (2020)
 
|pop-basis =
 
|pop-basis =
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|gdp         =
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|gdp         =$533,333,333,333 (2020)
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|gdp-year =$291 billion (2006)
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|gdp-year =
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|gdp-pc         =$32,200 (2006)
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|gdp-pc         =$52,805 (2020)
 
|currency =Swedish krona
 
|currency =Swedish krona
 
|idd =
 
|idd =
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}}
 
}}
 
:''For the impact on left-wing policies on Sweden and the rest of Europe, see [[European migrant crisis]]''
 
:''For the impact on left-wing policies on Sweden and the rest of Europe, see [[European migrant crisis]]''
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'''Sweden''' is a country in [[Scandinavia]]. The capital city is [[Stockholm]], which is also the largest city. Sweden has approximately 9 million inhabitants, with an area of 173,750 square miles (450,000 square kilometers).
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'''Sweden''' is a country in [[Scandinavia]]. The capital city is [[Stockholm]], which is also the largest city. Sweden has approximately 9 million inhabitants, with an area of 173,750 square miles (450,000 square kilometers).  Sweden has the highest [[abortion]] rate in the world outside of [[communist]] and formerly communist countries.  It also controls the granting of the [[Nobel Prize]], for which it vetoes leading [[conservative]] candidates.  It is estimated that half the country denies the existence of [[God]].
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Sweden is a constitutional [[monarchy]] and a parliamentary [[democracy]]. The prime minister of Sweden is [[Fredrik Reinfeldt]], leader of the Moderates. The Swedish parliament has 349 seats. [[Carl XVI Gustaf]] is the current king.  
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Sweden is a constitutional [[monarchy]] and a parliamentary [[democracy]]. The Swedish parliament has 349 seats. [[Carl XVI Gustaf]] is the current king.
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In September 2018, “Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven was voted out in a confidence vote in parliament as the center-right opposition and the nationalists joined forces to end four years of Social Democratic rule.”<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/sweden-pm-ousted-in-confidence-vote-as-political-turmoil-deepens/ar-AAABlRk?OCID=ansmsnnews11</ref>
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Sweden joined the pro-[[LGBT]] [[NATO]] organization in 2023.
    
==People==
 
==People==
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Sweden has one of the world's highest life expectancies. The country counts at least 17,000 Sami among its population. About one-fifth of Sweden's population are immigrants or born to at least one foreign-born parent. The largest immigrant groups are from Finland, [[Iraq]], Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, [[Iran]], Norway, Denmark, and Poland. This reflects Nordic immigration, earlier periods of labor immigration, and later decades of refugee and family immigration.  
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Sweden has one of the world's longest life expectancies. The country counts at least 17,000 Sami among its population. About one-fifth of Sweden's population are immigrants or born to at least one foreign-born parent. The largest immigrant groups are from Finland, [[Iraq]], Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, [[Iran]], Norway, Denmark, and Poland. This reflects Nordic immigration, earlier periods of labor immigration, and later decades of refugee and family immigration.  
    
Swedish is a Germanic language related to Danish and Norwegian but different in pronunciation and [[orthography]]. English is by far the leading foreign language, particularly among students and those under age 50.  
 
Swedish is a Germanic language related to Danish and Norwegian but different in pronunciation and [[orthography]]. English is by far the leading foreign language, particularly among students and those under age 50.  
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In 2005 a Swedish Pentecostal preacher, [[Ake Green|Åke Green]], was charged with, and found guilty of hate speech, when preaching Biblical teachings regarding homosexuality. He was imprisoned for one month, but then acquitted by the High Court and the Supreme Court.
 
In 2005 a Swedish Pentecostal preacher, [[Ake Green|Åke Green]], was charged with, and found guilty of hate speech, when preaching Biblical teachings regarding homosexuality. He was imprisoned for one month, but then acquitted by the High Court and the Supreme Court.
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=== Sexual immorality/diseases and Sweden ===
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''See also:'' [[Sexual immorality and Sweden]]
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On May 5, 2011, the Swedish news website ''The Local'' reported in an article entitled ''Swedish women hit harder by [[STD]] rise'':
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{{cquote|[[Gonorrhea|Gonorrhoea]] and [[syphilis]] are making a comeback in Sweden, with the number of reported cases among young women soaring by nearly 60 percent in 2010.
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According to new statistics from the Swedish Institute for Communicable Disease Control (Smittskyddsinstitutet), there was a 38 percent rise in reported cases of the two diseases among Swedes in general.
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Worst hit, however, are young women between 15 and 24, where the number of cases increased by 57 percent.<ref>http://www.thelocal.se/33616/20110506/ ''Swedish women hit harder by [[STD]] rise'']</ref>}}
    
==Leftist politics in Sweden==
 
==Leftist politics in Sweden==
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===Low religious liberty===
 
===Low religious liberty===
 
{{See also|Religious freedom}}
 
{{See also|Religious freedom}}
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In 2017, a Swedish local government unit forced a Christian preschool to ban prayer to God under the country's Education Act, but the preschoolers were subsequently instructed to thank the sun and the rain before meals.<ref>Chretien, Claire (June 28, 2017). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/christian-preschool-switches-to-thanking-the-sun-and-rain-before-meals-afte Gov’t bans prayer to God; Christian preschool forced to thank ‘sun and rain’ for meals instead]. ''LifeSite News''. Retrieved August 6, 2017.</ref><ref>Hale, Virginia (June 26, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/06/26/christian-preschool-banned-saying-amen/ Christian Preschoolers Banned from Saying ‘Amen’, Talking About the Bible]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 6, 2017.</ref><ref>[http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2017/june/preschoolers-in-sweden-banned-from-saying-amen-mentioning-the-bible Preschoolers in Sweden Banned from Saying 'Amen,' Mentioning the Bible]. ''CBN News''. June 29, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.</ref> Also in 2017, the Prime Minister of Sweden stated in an interview that Swedish state church priests should "marry" homosexual couples regardless of what they think of it, and that they should leave their positions if they don't do it.<ref>Multiple references:
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In 2017, a Swedish local government unit forced a Christian preschool to ban prayer to God under the country's Education Act, but the preschoolers were subsequently instructed to thank the sun and the rain before meals.<ref>Chretien, Claire (June 28, 2017). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/christian-preschool-switches-to-thanking-the-sun-and-rain-before-meals-afte Gov’t bans prayer to God; Christian preschool forced to thank ‘sun and rain’ for meals instead]. ''LifeSite News''. Retrieved August 6, 2017.</ref><ref>Hale, Virginia (June 26, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/06/26/christian-preschool-banned-saying-amen/ Christian Preschoolers Banned from Saying ‘Amen’, Talking About the Bible]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 6, 2017.</ref><ref>[https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2017/june/preschoolers-in-sweden-banned-from-saying-amen-mentioning-the-bible Preschoolers in Sweden Banned from Saying 'Amen,' Mentioning the Bible]. ''CBN News''. June 29, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.</ref> Also in 2017, the Prime Minister of Sweden stated in an interview that Swedish state church priests should "marry" homosexual couples regardless of what they think of it, and that they should leave their positions if they don't do it.<ref>Multiple references:
 
*Chretien, Claire (June 28, 2017). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/swedish-pm-priests-unwilling-to-marry-same-sex-couples-should-do-something Swedish PM: Priests unwilling to ‘marry’ same-sex couples should ‘do something else’]. ''LifeSite News''. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
 
*Chretien, Claire (June 28, 2017). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/swedish-pm-priests-unwilling-to-marry-same-sex-couples-should-do-something Swedish PM: Priests unwilling to ‘marry’ same-sex couples should ‘do something else’]. ''LifeSite News''. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
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*Tomlinson, Chris (August 6, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/06/24/swedish-pm-wants-force-priests-marry-sex-couples/ Swedish PM to Force Priests to Conduct Gay Marriages, Compares them With Abortions]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
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*Tomlinson, Chris (August 6, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/06/24/swedish-pm-wants-force-priests-marry-sex-couples/ Swedish PM to Force Priests to Conduct Gay Marriages, Compares them With Abortions]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
 
*[https://www.thelocal.se/20170623/all-priests-should-wed-same-sex-couples-swedish-pm 'All priests should wed same-sex couples': Swedish PM]. ''The Local''. June 23, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
 
*[https://www.thelocal.se/20170623/all-priests-should-wed-same-sex-couples-swedish-pm 'All priests should wed same-sex couples': Swedish PM]. ''The Local''. June 23, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
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*Hurd, Dale (June 23, 2017). [http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2017/june/swedish-prime-minister-priests-should-be-forced-to-perform-same-sex-weddings Swedish Prime Minister: Priests Should Be Forced to Perform Same-Sex Weddings]. ''CBN News''. Retrieved August 6, 2017.</ref> In 2017, the Swedish Labour Court of Appeal ruled that a [[pro-life]] midwife can be forced to perform abortions even if she objects.<ref>Chretien, Claire (April 12, 2017). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/swedish-court-denies-pro-life-midwifes-appeal-its-reasonable-for-employer-t Pro-life midwife can be forced to do abortions, court rules]. ''LifeSite News''. Retrieved August 6, 2017.</ref> As of August 2017, the case is being appealed in the [[European Court of Human Rights]].<ref>Chretien, Claire (April 21, 2017). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pro-life-midwife-ordered-to-do-abortions-to-keep-job-takes-case-to-european Pro-life midwife ordered to do abortions or lose her job takes case to European human rights court]. ''LifeSite News''. Retrieved August 6, 2017.</ref>
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*Hurd, Dale (June 23, 2017). [https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2017/june/swedish-prime-minister-priests-should-be-forced-to-perform-same-sex-weddings Swedish Prime Minister: Priests Should Be Forced to Perform Same-Sex Weddings]. ''CBN News''. Retrieved August 6, 2017.</ref> In 2017, the Swedish Labour Court of Appeal ruled that a [[pro-life]] midwife can be forced to perform abortions even if she objects.<ref>Chretien, Claire (April 12, 2017). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/swedish-court-denies-pro-life-midwifes-appeal-its-reasonable-for-employer-t Pro-life midwife can be forced to do abortions, court rules]. ''LifeSite News''. Retrieved August 6, 2017.</ref> As of August 2017, the case is being appealed in the [[European Court of Human Rights]].<ref>Chretien, Claire (April 21, 2017). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pro-life-midwife-ordered-to-do-abortions-to-keep-job-takes-case-to-european Pro-life midwife ordered to do abortions or lose her job takes case to European human rights court]. ''LifeSite News''. Retrieved August 6, 2017.</ref>
    
===Feminism===
 
===Feminism===
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Although Sweden's left-wing policies have negatively impacted the nation, including women (See: [[European migrant crisis#Sweden]]), Sweden's leaders continue to advocate for feminist policies, and in 2017, learning about "men’s violence against women" became a compulsory university subject.<ref>Hale, Virginia (March 28, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/03/28/sweden-male-violence-women-university/ Sweden Makes ‘Men’s Violence Against Women’ Compulsory Subject at University]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 29, 2017.</ref>
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Although Sweden's left-wing policies have negatively impacted the nation, including women (See: [[European migrant crisis#Sweden]]), Sweden's leaders continue to advocate for feminist policies, and in 2017, learning about "men’s violence against women" became a compulsory university subject.<ref>Hale, Virginia (March 28, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/03/28/sweden-male-violence-women-university/ Sweden Makes ‘Men’s Violence Against Women’ Compulsory Subject at University]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 29, 2017.</ref>
    
===Transgender ideology===
 
===Transgender ideology===
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Sweden provides "gender-neutral" kindergarten lessons, and transgender ideology has a strong grip in its society.<ref>Ciccotta, Tom (July 26, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/tech/2017/07/26/vice-documents-introduction-of-gender-neutral-kindergartens-in-sweden/ VICE Documents Introduction of Gender-Neutral Kindergartens in Sweden]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 6, 2017.</ref>
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Sweden provides "gender-neutral" kindergarten lessons, and transgender ideology has a strong grip in its society.<ref>Ciccotta, Tom (July 26, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2017/07/26/vice-documents-introduction-of-gender-neutral-kindergartens-in-sweden/ VICE Documents Introduction of Gender-Neutral Kindergartens in Sweden]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 6, 2017.</ref>
    
===Mass immigration===
 
===Mass immigration===
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[[File:King Carl XVI Gustaf Sweden.jpg|thumb|King Carl XVI Gustaf.]]
 
[[File:King Carl XVI Gustaf Sweden.jpg|thumb|King Carl XVI Gustaf.]]
 
*Head of State—King Carl XVI Gustaf  
 
*Head of State—King Carl XVI Gustaf  
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*Prime Minister (Head of Government)--Stefan Löfven
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*Prime Minister (Head of Government)—Ulf Kristersson
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*Minister for Finance—Anders Borg
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*Minister for Finance—Elisabeth Svantesson
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*Minister for the Environment—Andreas Carlgren
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*Minister for the Environment—Romina Pourmokhtari
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*Minister for Justice—Beatrice Ask
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*Minister for Justice—Gunnar Strömmer
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*Minister for Foreign Affairs—Carl Bildt
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*Minister for Foreign Affairs—Tobias Billström
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*Minister for EU Affairs—Cecilia Malmstrom
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*Minister for EU Affairs—Jessika Roswall
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*Minister for Social Security—Cristina Husmark Pehrsson
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*Minister for Social Security—Anna Tenje
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*Minister for Agriculture—Eskil Erlandsson
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*Minister for Rural Affairs—Peter Kullgren
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*Minister for International Development Co-operation—Gunilla Carlsson
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*Minister for Foreign Trade and International Development Co-operation—Johan Forssell
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*Minister for Health and Social Affairs—Goran Hagglund
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*Minister for Health and Social Affairs—Jakob Forssmed
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*Minister for Higher Education and Research—Lars Leijonborg
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*Minister for Education—Mats Persson
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*Minister for Education—Jan Bjorklund
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*Minister for Culture—Parisa Liljestrand
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*Minister for Culture—Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth
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*Minister for Social Services—Camilla Waltersson Grönvall
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*Minister for Elderly Care and Public Health—Maria Larsson
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*Minister for Financial Markets—Niklas Wykman
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*Minister for Local Government and Financial Markets—Mats Odell
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*Minister for Enterprise and Energy—Ebba Busch
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*Minister for Enterprise and Energy—Maud Olofsson
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*Minister for Defence—Pål Jonson
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*Minister for Defense—Sten Tolgfors
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*Minister for Gender Equality—Paulina Brandberg 
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*Minister for Integration and Gender Equality—Nyamko Sabuni
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*Minister for Employment—Johan Pehrson
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*Minister for Trade—Ewa Bjorling
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*Minister for Migration—Maria Malmer Stenergard
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*Minister for Employment—Sven Otto Littorin
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*Minister for Infrastructure—Andreas Carlson
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*Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy—Tobias Billstrom
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*Ambassador to the United Nations—Anna Karin Eneström
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*Minister for Infrastructure—Asa Torstensson
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*Ambassador to the United Nations—Anders Liden
      
===Political Conditions===
 
===Political Conditions===
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The next Swedish election for parliament is scheduled to be held in 2010. In 2009 Sweden will vote for its representatives to the European Parliament.
 
The next Swedish election for parliament is scheduled to be held in 2010. In 2009 Sweden will vote for its representatives to the European Parliament.
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In November 2022 the new government under Ulf Kristersson cancelled the residency permits for 300,000 migrants.
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===Military===
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[[File:Goose stepping in the Swedish Army.PNG|center|600px|thumb|[[Goose step]]ping in the [[Swedish]] armed services.<ref>[https://youtu.be/Qjcev7HHKyE Swedish Military Ceremony - Swedes marching in the Prussian Stechschritt], [[YouTube]].</ref>]]
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Sweden joined [[NATO]] in 2022.
    
===Foreign Relations===
 
===Foreign Relations===
 
Swedish foreign policy is based on the premise that national security is best served by staying free of alliances in peacetime in order to remain neutral in the event of war. In 2002, Sweden revised its security doctrine. The new security doctrine still states that "Sweden pursues a policy of non-participation in military alliances," but permits cooperation in response to threats against peace and security. The Swedish Government devotes particular attention to issues of disarmament, arms control, and nuclear nonproliferation and has contributed importantly to UN and other international peacekeeping efforts, including the NATO-led peacekeeping forces in the Balkans (KFOR). Sweden also contributes to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan and assumed leadership of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Mazar e-Sharif in March 2006.  
 
Swedish foreign policy is based on the premise that national security is best served by staying free of alliances in peacetime in order to remain neutral in the event of war. In 2002, Sweden revised its security doctrine. The new security doctrine still states that "Sweden pursues a policy of non-participation in military alliances," but permits cooperation in response to threats against peace and security. The Swedish Government devotes particular attention to issues of disarmament, arms control, and nuclear nonproliferation and has contributed importantly to UN and other international peacekeeping efforts, including the NATO-led peacekeeping forces in the Balkans (KFOR). Sweden also contributes to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan and assumed leadership of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Mazar e-Sharif in March 2006.  
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Sweden participates actively in the United Nations and its specialized and related agencies, including the World Bank, World Trade Organization (WTO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Labor Organization (ILO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (USESCO), World Health Organization (WHO), and others including as a member of the Security Council in 1997-98. In January 1995, Sweden became a full member of the European Union after a referendum in late 1994 indicated that 52.3% of participants wanted to join. Sweden became a member in part due to its increasing isolation outside the economic framework of the Maastricht Treaty. Sweden is a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace (PFP) and participates in numerous international peacekeeping operations under UN auspices. Sweden also cooperates closely with its Nordic neighbors, formally in economic and social matters through the Nordic Council of Ministers and informally in political matters through direct consultation.  
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Sweden participates actively in the United Nations and its specialized and related agencies, including the World Bank, World Trade Organization (WTO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Labor Organization (ILO), [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] (IAEA), United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (USESCO), World Health Organization (WHO), and others including as a member of the Security Council in 1997–98. In January 1995, Sweden became a full member of the European Union after a referendum in late 1994 indicated that 52.3% of participants wanted to join. Sweden became a member in part due to its increasing isolation outside the economic framework of the [[Maastricht Treaty]]. Sweden is a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace (PFP) and participates in numerous international peacekeeping operations under UN auspices. Sweden also cooperates closely with its Nordic neighbors, formally in economic and social matters through the Nordic Council of Ministers and informally in political matters through direct consultation.  
    
Swedish governments do not consider that nonalignment precludes taking outspoken positions in international affairs. Government leaders have favored [[national liberation movement]]s that enjoy broad support among developing world countries, with notable attention to Africa. During the Cold War, Sweden was suspicious of the superpowers, which it saw as making decisions affecting small countries without always consulting those countries. With the end of the Cold War, that suspicion has lessened somewhat, although Sweden still chooses to remain nonaligned.
 
Swedish governments do not consider that nonalignment precludes taking outspoken positions in international affairs. Government leaders have favored [[national liberation movement]]s that enjoy broad support among developing world countries, with notable attention to Africa. During the Cold War, Sweden was suspicious of the superpowers, which it saw as making decisions affecting small countries without always consulting those countries. With the end of the Cold War, that suspicion has lessened somewhat, although Sweden still chooses to remain nonaligned.
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Turkish President [[Recep Erdoğan]] warned that "[[Scandinavia]]n countries are 'guesthouses' for terrorist organizations."<ref>https://zeenews.india.com/world/scandinavian-countries-are-guesthouses-for-terrorist-organisations-erdogan-says-turkey-not-supportive-of-finland-sweden-joining-nato-2463392.html</ref>
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====NATO application====
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According to a [[leak]]ed U.S. State Department memo Sweden, along with [[Finland]], was being targeted for classification as human rights abusers in accordance with Biden's Executive Order 14075 from June 2022 that instructs agencies of the federal government to do what they can to stop “[[conversion therapy]]” for “[[LGBT]]QI+” people.<ref>https://www.city-journal.org/state-dept-launches-international-gender-pressure-campaign</ref>
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On February 28, 2022, Sweden, a non-NATO member, announced the country would supply the Kyiv regime with 5,000 anti-tank weapons, 135,000 field rations, 5,000 helmets, and 5,000 pieces of body armor.  It was the first time Sweden sent finished weapons to a country since the [[Russo-Finnish war]] of 1939.  Sweden sold iron ore vital to [[Nazi Germany]]'s war effort throughout World War II and allowed passage of German troops via rail to Finland to fight the Soviet Union.  On March 3, 2022, Sweden claimed two Russian SU-27 and two SU-24 fighters invaded its airspace.<ref>https://www.euronews.com/2022/03/03/sweden-summons-russian-officials-after-fighter-jets-fly-near-gotland-island</ref>
    
== Economy ==
 
== Economy ==
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Sweden is a highly industrialized country. Agriculture, once accounting for nearly all of Sweden's economy, now employs less than 2% of the labor force. Extensive forests, rich iron ore deposits, and hydroelectric power are the natural resources which, through the application of technology and efficient organization, have enabled Sweden to become a leading producing and exporting nation.  
 
Sweden is a highly industrialized country. Agriculture, once accounting for nearly all of Sweden's economy, now employs less than 2% of the labor force. Extensive forests, rich iron ore deposits, and hydroelectric power are the natural resources which, through the application of technology and efficient organization, have enabled Sweden to become a leading producing and exporting nation.  
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The Swedish economic picture has brightened significantly since the severe recession in the early 1990s. Growth has been strong in recent years, with an annual average GDP growth rate of 2.5% for the period 2000-2004 and 2.7% in 2005. The inflation rate was low in 2006, with an annual average inflation rate of about 1.5%, but unemployment remains a stubborn problem. The inflation rate rose to 3.5% in December 2007. The unemployment rate held steady in recent years at about 5% and in 2005 reached 7.8%. Unemployment in 2007 reached 5.2%. Since the mid-1990s, Sweden's export sector has grown significantly as the information technology (IT) industry, telecommunications, and services have overtaken traditional industries such as steel, paper, and pulp. The overall current-account surplus has traditionally been much smaller than the merchandise trade balance, as Sweden has generally run a deficit on trade in services, net income flows, and unrequited transfers. However, since 2003 this has not been the case, as the services balance swung into surplus in 2003 and improved further in 2004 and 2005. In addition, the income account also swung from deficit into surplus in 2003, before slipping back to register small deficits in 2004 and 2005. Although the transfers balance remained in deficit, mainly as a result of Sweden's contributions to the EU budget, the overall current-account surplus was larger than the trade surplus in 2003-05. Most categories of services exports produced an improvement over this period, but the biggest contribution came from business services exports, followed by transportation and royalties and license fees.  
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The Swedish economic picture has brightened significantly since the severe recession in the early 1990s. Growth has been strong in recent years, with an annual average GDP growth rate of 2.5% for the period 2000-2004 and 2.7% in 2005. The inflation rate was low in 2006, with an annual average inflation rate of about 1.5%, but unemployment remains a stubborn problem. The inflation rate rose to 3.5% in December 2007. The unemployment rate held steady in recent years at about 5% and in 2005 reached 7.8%. Unemployment in 2007 reached 5.2%. Since the mid-1990s, Sweden's export sector has grown significantly as the information technology (IT) industry, telecommunications, and services have overtaken traditional industries such as steel, paper, and pulp. The overall current-account surplus has traditionally been much smaller than the merchandise trade balance, as Sweden has generally run a deficit on trade in services, net income flows, and unrequited transfers. However, since 2003 this has not been the case, as the services balance swung into surplus in 2003 and improved further in 2004 and 2005. In addition, the income account also swung from deficit into surplus in 2003, before slipping back to register small deficits in 2004 and 2005. Although the transfers balance remained in deficit, mainly as a result of Sweden's contributions to the EU budget, the overall current-account surplus was larger than the trade surplus in 2003–05. Most categories of services exports produced an improvement over this period, but the biggest contribution came from business services exports, followed by transportation and royalties and license fees.  
    
During 2005 real GDP rose by 2.5%, 3.4% in 2006, and 2.9% (est.) in 2007. The government budget improved dramatically from a record deficit of more than 12% of GDP in 1993 to a surplus of 0.9% of GDP in 2006. The new, strict budget process with spending ceilings set by parliament, and a constitutional change to an independent Central Bank, have greatly improved policy credibility. This can be seen in the long-term interest rate margin versus the Euro, which is negligible. From the perspective of longer-term fiscal sustainability, the long-awaited reform of old-age pensions entered into force in 1999. This entails a far more robust system vis-à-vis adverse demographic and economic trends, which should keep the ratio of total pension disbursements to the aggregate wage bill close to 20% in the decades ahead. Taken together, both fiscal consolidation and pension reform have brought public finances back on a sustainable footing. Gross public debt, which jumped from 43% of GDP in 1990 to 78% in 1994, stabilized around the middle of the 1990s and has been decreasing in recent years. In 2007 public debt was about 35.6% of GDP. These figures show excellent improvement of the Swedish economy since the crisis of the early 1990s.  
 
During 2005 real GDP rose by 2.5%, 3.4% in 2006, and 2.9% (est.) in 2007. The government budget improved dramatically from a record deficit of more than 12% of GDP in 1993 to a surplus of 0.9% of GDP in 2006. The new, strict budget process with spending ceilings set by parliament, and a constitutional change to an independent Central Bank, have greatly improved policy credibility. This can be seen in the long-term interest rate margin versus the Euro, which is negligible. From the perspective of longer-term fiscal sustainability, the long-awaited reform of old-age pensions entered into force in 1999. This entails a far more robust system vis-à-vis adverse demographic and economic trends, which should keep the ratio of total pension disbursements to the aggregate wage bill close to 20% in the decades ahead. Taken together, both fiscal consolidation and pension reform have brought public finances back on a sustainable footing. Gross public debt, which jumped from 43% of GDP in 1990 to 78% in 1994, stabilized around the middle of the 1990s and has been decreasing in recent years. In 2007 public debt was about 35.6% of GDP. These figures show excellent improvement of the Swedish economy since the crisis of the early 1990s.  
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* Peter Stormare, actor
 
* Peter Stormare, actor
 
* [[Victoria of Sweden]]
 
* [[Victoria of Sweden]]
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* Jöns Ernie van Vollenhoven
    
==Further reading==
 
==Further reading==
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* ''Sweden'' (Eyewitness Travel Guides) by DK Publishing (2005) [http://www.amazon.com/Sweden-Eyewitness-Travel-Guides-Publishing/dp/0756609135/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241584198&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]
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* ''Sweden'' (Eyewitness Travel Guides) by DK Publishing (2005) [https://www.amazon.com/Sweden-Eyewitness-Travel-Guides-Publishing/dp/0756609135/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241584198&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]
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* ''Frommer's Sweden'' ed. by Danforth Prince (2009) [http://www.amazon.com/Frommers-Sweden-Complete-Danforth-Prince/dp/0470432144/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241584198&sr=1-2 excerpt and text search]
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* ''Frommer's Sweden'' ed. by Danforth Prince (2009) [https://www.amazon.com/Frommers-Sweden-Complete-Danforth-Prince/dp/0470432144/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241584198&sr=1-2 excerpt and text search]
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* '' Lonely Planet Sweden'' ed.  by Carolyn Bain and Graeme Cornwallis (2003) [http://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Planet-Sweden-Carolyn-Bain/dp/1740592271/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241584640&sr=1-25  excerpt and text search]
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* '' Lonely Planet Sweden'' ed.  by Carolyn Bain and Graeme Cornwallis (2003) [https://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Planet-Sweden-Carolyn-Bain/dp/1740592271/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241584640&sr=1-25  excerpt and text search]
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* ''The Rough Guide to Sweden'' ed. by James Proctor and Neil Roland (2006) [http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Guide-Sweden-Travel-Guides/dp/1843536854/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241584198&sr=1-5 excerpt and text search]
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* ''The Rough Guide to Sweden'' ed. by James Proctor and Neil Roland (2006) [https://www.amazon.com/Rough-Guide-Sweden-Travel-Guides/dp/1843536854/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241584198&sr=1-5 excerpt and text search]
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* Hancock, M. Donald ''Politics in Europe: An Introduction to the Politics of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden'' (2006) [http://www.amazon.com/Politics-Europe-Introduction-Kingdom-Germany/dp/1933116455/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241584640&sr=1-27  excerpt and text search]
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* Hancock, M. Donald ''Politics in Europe: An Introduction to the Politics of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden'' (2006) [https://www.amazon.com/Politics-Europe-Introduction-Kingdom-Germany/dp/1933116455/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241584640&sr=1-27  excerpt and text search]
    
==External links==
 
==External links==
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