Photo by: Aránzazu Vel

Sweden has the largest population among the Nordic countries and is the third-largest country in the European Union by surface area. To the west, Sweden is separated from Norway by mountains and is connected to the south by a road and rail bridge to Denmark.

The most important sectors of Sweden’s economy in 2014 were public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (24.5 %), industry (19.7 %) and wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (17.4 %).

Sweden’s main export partners are Norway, Germany and the UK, while its main import partners are Germany, Norway and the Netherlands.

Capital: 

Stockholm

Geographical size: 

438 574 km2

Population: 

9 747 355 (2015)

Population as % of total EU: 

1.9 % (2015)

Gross domestic product (GDP): 

€ 444.235 billion (2015)

Official EU language(s): 

Swedish

Political system: 

 parliamentary constitutional monarchy

EU member country since: 

 1 January 1995

Seats in the European Parliament: 

 20

Currency: 

 Swedish krona SEK

Schengen area member? 

 Yes, Schengen Area member since 25 March 2001.

Presidency of the Council: 

 Sweden has held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU twice: in 2001 and 2009.