
Sweden
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.