Changes

|chancellor =

|chancellor =

|chancellor-raw =

|chancellor-raw =

|pm         =Stefan Löfven

|pm         =Ulf Kristersson

|pm-raw         =

|pm-raw         =

|area         =173,732 sq mi

|area         =173,732 sq mi

|pop         =9,880,604 (2016)

|pop         =10,100,000 (2020)

|pop-basis =

|pop-basis =

|gdp         =

|gdp         =$533,333,333,333 (2020)

|gdp-year =$291 billion (2006)

|gdp-year =

|gdp-pc         =$32,200 (2006)

|gdp-pc         =$52,805 (2020)

|currency =Swedish krona

|currency =Swedish krona

|idd =

|idd =

}}

}}

:''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]]''

'''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]] in the world outside of [[communist]] and formerly communist countries.  It also controls the granting of the [[Nobel Prize]].

'''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]].

Sweden is a constitutional [[monarchy]] and a parliamentary [[democracy]]. The Swedish parliament has 349 seats. [[Carl XVI Gustaf]] is the current king.  

Sweden is a constitutional [[monarchy]] and a parliamentary [[democracy]]. The Swedish parliament has 349 seats. [[Carl XVI Gustaf]] is the current king.  

In September 2018, "Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven 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>

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>

 

==People==

==People==

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.

==Leftist politics in Sweden==

==Leftist politics in Sweden==

[[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  

*Prime Minister (Head of Government)--Stefan Löfven

*Prime Minister (Head of Government)—Ulf Kristersson

*Minister for Finance—Anders Borg

*Minister for Finance—Elisabeth Svantesson

*Minister for the Environment—Andreas Carlgren

*Minister for the Environment—Romina Pourmokhtari

*Minister for Justice—Beatrice Ask

*Minister for Justice—Gunnar Strömmer

*Minister for Foreign Affairs—Carl Bildt

*Minister for Foreign Affairs—Tobias Billström

*Minister for EU Affairs—Cecilia Malmstrom

*Minister for EU Affairs—Jessika Roswall

*Minister for Social Security—Cristina Husmark Pehrsson

*Minister for Social Security—Anna Tenje

*Minister for Agriculture—Eskil Erlandsson

*Minister for Rural Affairs—Peter Kullgren

*Minister for International Development Co-operation—Gunilla Carlsson

*Minister for Foreign Trade and International Development Co-operation—Johan Forssell

*Minister for Health and Social Affairs—Goran Hagglund

*Minister for Health and Social Affairs—Jakob Forssmed

*Minister for Higher Education and Research—Lars Leijonborg

*Minister for Education—Mats Persson

*Minister for Education—Jan Bjorklund

*Minister for Culture—Parisa Liljestrand

*Minister for Culture—Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth

*Minister for Social Services—Camilla Waltersson Grönvall

*Minister for Financial Markets—Niklas Wykman

*Minister for Local Government and Financial Markets—Mats Odell

*Minister for Enterprise and Energy—Ebba Busch

*Minister for Enterprise and Energy—Maud Olofsson

*Minister for Defence—Pål Jonson

*Minister for Defense—Sten Tolgfors

*Minister for Gender Equality—Paulina Brandberg 

*Minister for Integration and Gender Equality—Nyamko Sabuni

*Minister for Employment—Johan Pehrson

*Minister for Trade—Ewa Bjorling

*Minister for Migration—Maria Malmer Stenergard

*Minister for Employment—Sven Otto Littorin

*Minister for Infrastructure—Andreas Carlson

*Ambassador to the United Nations—Anna Karin Eneström

*Minister for Infrastructure—Asa Torstensson

*Ambassador to the United Nations—Anders Liden

===Political Conditions===

===Political Conditions===

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.

===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.  

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.  

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.

== Economy ==

== Economy ==

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.  

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.  

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.  

* Peter Stormare, actor

* Peter Stormare, actor

* [[Victoria of Sweden]]

* [[Victoria of Sweden]]

==Further reading==

==Further reading==